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supporting traditional activities through employment and economic partnerships. By adding the hydropower outlined in
the agreement to projects already included in Action Plan 2035, Québec will have over 11,000MW of additional renewable energy by 2035. This energy supply will support the province’s efforts to meet growing electricity demand, decarbonize its economy, and maintain its leadership in the global energy transition. Hydro-Québec CEO Michael Sabia called
the agreement a “win for citizens, the economy, and future generations,” highlighting its role in securing affordable, sustainable energy. “In an increasingly uncertain world, it’s an advantage for Québec to have greater certainty over its energy security,” Sabia said. He also reaffirmed Hydro-Québec’s confidence in controlling construction costs and ensuring the projects remain financially sustainable. The agreement in principle, while non- binding, provides a framework for further discussions. In the coming months, the parties will continue to engage with Indigenous communities and conduct detailed analyses to finalize a definitive agreement.
China
Construction begins on dams for Zhejiang Songyang pumped storage station
Construction work has officially commenced on the lower and upper reservoir dams of the Zhejiang Songyang pumped storage power station in east China, a significant milestone in the project’s development. The power station, located in Songyang County, Zhejiang Province, is designed to have a total installed capacity of 1.4 million kilowatts. It will consist of four reversible pump-turbine generator units, each capable of generating 350,000 kilowatts.
Once fully operational, the facility is projected
to produce approximately 1.4 billion kilowatt- hours of electricity annually while consuming up to 1.9 billion kilowatt-hours for pumping. The energy produced will play a vital role in peak shaving, frequency modulation, and emergency power supply for the regional grid. The project is slated to commission its first unit by the end of 2027, with full operational capacity expected shortly afterward. As part of Zhejiang’s transition toward renewable energy and grid modernization, the Songyang facility will contribute to the stability of the East China power grid while supporting energy storage and backup needs in the province. Pumped storage power stations like Zhejiang Songyang are increasingly critical to managing the intermittency of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power. They provide an efficient way to store surplus energy and ensure a stable power supply during periods of high demand. When completed, the Zhejiang Songyang
Pumped Storage Power Station will join a growing network of pumped storage facilities across China.
US
Eco Wave Power secures final permit for first US onshore wave energy project Eco Wave Power has received the final Nationwide Permit (NWP) from the US Army Corps of Engineers for its wave energy project at the Port of Los Angeles. This milestone paves the way for the first onshore wave energy installation in the US, located at AltaSea’s premises. The permit, granted under NWP 52 for
Water-Based Renewable Energy Generation Pilot Projects, authorizes the installation of eight wave energy floaters on an existing concrete wharf at Municipal Pier One. The project will include an energy conversion unit housed in two 20ft shipping containers placed on the wharf deck, linked to the floaters. With the conversion unit already on-site, Eco
Wave Power plans to complete installation by the end of the first quarter of 2025. Inna Braverman, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Eco Wave Power, expressed her enthusiasm: “We are thrilled to receive this final permit and move one step closer to bringing wave energy to the US. This project represents not only a technological breakthrough but also a crucial step in advancing the global transition to renewable energy. We are deeply grateful for the support of AltaSea, the Port of Los Angeles, Shell MRE, and the US Army Corps of Engineers as we work to make wave energy a key part of the sustainable energy landscape.” This achievement marks two significant
milestones in Eco Wave Power’s partnership with Shell International Exploration and Production Inc. (Shell). Announced in April 2024, the agreement between Eco Wave Power and Shell aims to develop a wave energy pilot at the Port of Los Angeles. With the permit in place, the project now moves into its execution phase, with expectations of boosting the company’s revenue by Q4 2024. According to the US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory, wave energy holds immense potential, capable of generating over 1,400 terawatt-hours annually – enough to power around 130 million homes.
Lesotho LHDA awards Oxbow hydropower scheme design contract The Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) has awarded the engineering design and construction supervision contract for the Oxbow Hydropower Scheme. This marks the initial phase of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) Phase II hydropower initiative. The contract was awarded to a joint
venture comprising Artelia (France), SMEC 6 | January 2025 |
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International (Australia), SMEC South Africa, and GWC Consulting Engineers (Lesotho). This selection aligns with the Phase II Agreement’s principles of competitiveness, transparency, cost-effectiveness, and quality. The contract is valued at approximately R824 million and is expected to be completed within 92 months. “Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water
Project (LHWP) includes further investment in Lesotho’s hydropower generation infrastructure as specified in Article 8 of the Phase II Agreement. This contract award for the design of the Oxbow Scheme is the first step in that process,” said Tente Tente, LHDA Chief Executive. He added, “The Oxbow Scheme, confirmed by the government of Lesotho in November 2021, is the next step in securing an independent electricity source to meet the country’s growing electricity requirements.” The Oxbow Scheme, located on the ‘Malibamats’o River, will feature a 100m-high gravity dam, a 6.6km headrace tunnel, and an 80MW surface powerhouse. The generated power will be transmitted through a 132kV line to the ‘Muela substation. A tailrace tunnel will connect to the ‘Muela reservoir, ensuring water continues through the LHWP system for delivery to South Africa. The project’s design also includes plans for a
potential 10MW powerhouse at the end of the ‘Malefiloane tailrace tunnel to utilize residual water pressure. While separate from the Phase I ‘Muela hydropower plant, the two projects will work together. Oxbow’s 80MW capacity will complement ‘Muela’s 72MW, operating as a peak plant for about seven hours daily. The Oxbow Hydropower Scheme will enhance Lesotho’s power security and reduce reliance on electricity imports. The LHWP is a multi-billion Maloti/Rand bi-national project between the Kingdom of Lesotho and the Republic of South Africa. It focuses on water transfer and hydropower generation. Phase I included the Katse Dam, Mohale Dam, water tunnels, and the ‘Muela Hydropower Plant. Phase II’s water transfer component features the Polihali Dam and a transfer tunnel to the Katse reservoir. The Oxbow Hydropower Scheme forms the hydropower component of Phase II. The LHDA oversees the project on behalf of the Lesotho government.
US
GE Vernova to modernize Saluda hydropower plant for Dominion Energy GE Vernova has secured an order from Dominion Energy South Carolina to modernize two hydropower units at the Saluda hydropower plant. This project aims to enhance the facility’s performance, reliability, and operational lifespan. The modernization includes installing GE
Vernova’s patented aerating turbine technology to increase dissolved oxygen levels in the
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