| World news China China completes world’s largest pumped storage hydropower plant
China has completed the Fengning Pumped Storage Power Station in Hebei province, now the largest facility of its kind globally. The plant, which has a total installed capacity of 3.6GW, is operated by the State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC). The final turbine unit was activated on August 11, 2024, marking the end of construction that began in June 2013. The project was built in two phases, each phase adding six 300
MW reversible pump-turbine units. The Gezhouba Group secured the main construction contract in April 2014, while ANDRITZ Hydro provided two variable speed generators for the second phase in 2017.
Initially designed to support the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, the Fengning plant now surpasses the Bath County Pumped Storage Station in the US as the world’s largest pumped hydro station in terms of capacity. Pumped hydropower plants like Fengning are vital for stabilizing
energy grids, especially as renewable energy use increases. According to the World Hydropower Outlook 2024, China continues
to lead in hydropower development, having added 6.7 GW of new capacity in 2023, including over 6.2 GW of pumped storage. With Fengning now online, China aims to expand its pumped storage capacity to 80 GW by 2027 and reach a total hydropower capacity of 120 GW by 2030. Globally, pumped storage hydropower is the largest form of
renewable energy storage, with nearly 200 GW of installed capacity. The International Hydropower Association (IHA) is highlighting a year-long campaign to drive pumped storage hydropower development, culminating at the International Forum for Pumped Storage Hydropower 2.0 in Paris in 2025, where industry leaders will discuss future developments. “It’s inspiring to see how the first of the renewable energies continues to break new records, support new technologies, and come up with new solutions. The hydropower industry is constantly innovating, and we look forward to bringing an international delegation to China to learn more about the latest developments there,” said Pablo Valverde, Deputy CEO of IHA.
Pakistan
First unit of CPEC’s Suki Kinari hydropower project connected to grid The first unit of the Suki Kinari Hydropower Project in northwest Pakistan was successfully connected to the national grid in August, marking a significant milestone in the China- Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) initiative. The project, located in the Mansehra district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, is being developed by China Energy Construction Overseas Investment Company Ltd. Once fully operational, the 884MW plant will generate approximately 3.21 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, supplying affordable clean energy to over 1 million households. Suki Kinari is expected to play a key role
in addressing Pakistan’s electricity shortfall, reducing coal consumption, and lowering carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 2.52 million tons per year. Construction began in January 2017, and the facility is scheduled to become fully operational later this year. At the heart of the Suki Kinari project are four
Pelton turbine generators, each with a capacity of 221MW, collectively contributing to the total capacity of 884MW. The hydropower plant boasts a maximum net head of 922.72m and a minimum head of 845.76m. The reservoir’s operating parameters are set with a maximum level of 2233m and a minimum level of 2223m, holding a storage capacity of 10.37 million m3
below the minimum operating
level. The project also features an underground powerhouse located approximately 400m deep and a tailrace tunnel extending about 1583m. CPEC, launched in 2013 as part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, focuses on enhancing energy, transportation, and industrial
infrastructure in Pakistan. The successful connection of the Suki Kinari project’s first unit to the grid is seen as a critical step toward its commercial operation.
Sardinia Energy Vault and Carbosulcis to develop 100MW energy storage system at former coal mine Energy Vault Holdings, Inc. and Carbosulcis S.p.A. have announced a plan to create a 100MW Hybrid Gravity Energy Storage System at the largest former coal mining site in Sardinia. This system will utilize Energy Vault’s EV0™ modular pumped hydro gravity storage technology combined with lithium-ion batteries, managed by VaultOS™ energy management software. The project will be deployed in the 500m deep shafts of the former coal mine, owned by the Sardinia Regional Government. A land lease agreement was executed in July 2024, with site testing set to begin in the coming months. This system aims to boost renewable energy use in Sardinia and contribute to the creation of a Renewable Energy Technology Hub. Energy Vault will own and operate the 100MW storage system. “This innovative energy storage solution can support our project to convert the mine into a new Technology Hub,” said Francesco Lippi, CEO of Carbosulcis. “This project will maximize local renewable energy use and improve grid stability in Sardinia.” Marco Terruzin, Chief Commercial and
Product Officer of Energy Vault, added: “The conversion of the coal mine to a Technology Hub powered by renewable energy will help economically revitalize the Sardinia region. This
application of our technology could hold vast potential for future uses.” The Hybrid Energy Storage System will
stabilize the island’s power grid and support renewable energy dispatch during peak demand. Installation of the first modular gravity components is set to start in September 2024, with underground component testing expected to be completed in 2025. This project represents a significant step in the transition from coal to renewable energy, aiming to promote innovation and a “smart transition” in an area heavily impacted by the decline of fossil fuels.
Ukraine Italy to boost support for Ukraine’s hydropower restoration Italy has pledged to increase its support for the restoration of Ukraine’s hydroelectric power plants, which have been heavily damaged by Russian attacks. This commitment was reaffirmed during a meeting between Ihor Syrota, CEO of Ukrhydroenergo, and Carlo Formosa, the Italian Ambassador to Ukraine. The meeting also included Natalia Boyko, Advisor to the Prime Minister of Ukraine, and Vitaliy Kushnirov, a member of Ukrhydroenergo’s Supervisory Board. The discussion centered around Italy’s
role in the ongoing restoration efforts under a loan agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Italian Government. This agreement includes €200 million dedicated to repairing the damaged hydroelectric facilities operated by Ukrhydroenergo. “Rebuilding the destroyed infrastructure is critical to ensuring the energy security of our
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