The Shangyi Pumped Storage Power Station in Shangyi County, China, has completed two major construction milestones: the closure of its lower reservoir for water storage and the successful installation of the rotor for Unit 1


operational, Meizhou will absorb 7.2 TWh of renewable energy annually, reducing coal use by 2.18 Mt and CO2


emissions by 5.9 Mt.


Other projects underway include the Tiantai PSH station in Zhejiang Province, featuring China’s highest rated head (724m) and largest units (425MW). Projects like the 1.2GW Huoshan, 1.8GW Nanzhang, and 2.1GW Huanglong plants are also advancing, supporting regional energy needs and displacing carbon emissions. In Guangxi, the 1.6GW Guilin Longsheng project broke ground in February 2025. Expected to generate nearly 2 billion kWh annually, it will cut CO2


emissions by more than 1.4 million tons. The speed of delivery reflects China’s


coordinated approach: component supply is industrialised, with multiple rotor assemblies and turbine components fabricated in parallel, while tunnelling and civil works proceed on accelerated schedules. For engineers, this raises the question of whether similar methods could be adapted in other countries with more fragmented permitting and supply chains.


India: Gandikota and beyond India is pursuing large pumped storage projects to complement its rapidly expanding solar and wind fleet. The 1,800MW Gandikota project in Andhra Pradesh, developed by Adani Green Energy Limited (AGEL), will use reversible pump turbines and motor-generators supplied by ANDRITZ. The contract, worth a low three-digit million-


euro figure, includes design, manufacturing, installation, testing, and commissioning. Importantly, much of the equipment will be produced in India, building local capability while drawing on ANDRITZ’s global expertise. Gandikota is AGEL’s third PSH project with ANDRITZ, after Chitravathi (500MW) and Tarali (1,500MW). Together, these plants represent


a pipeline exceeding 3.8GW, reflecting India’s strategy of coupling intermittent renewable generation with large-scale, long-duration storage. A milestone was also reached at Greenko’s Pinnapuram Integrated Renewable Energy Project in Andhra Pradesh, where Unit 1 was successfully wet-commissioned in pump mode. India’s first co-located project integrates 1,000MW solar, 550MW wind, and a 1,200MW closed-loop PSH system. Future phases could expand capacity to 2,400MW of PSH. The project uses two purpose-built reservoirs in natural depressions, filled via the Gorakallu irrigation system. Spanning 714 hectares, it features a subsurface powerhouse with eight variable-speed turbines and environmental measures such as compensatory afforestation and local resettlement support. The facility has been designed to provide up to six hours of continuous discharge and can ramp up or down quickly, enhancing India’s grid flexibility. Elsewhere, Greenko is advancing its 1,800MW Shahpur project in Rajasthan, with AFRY handling detailed design and supervision. In Maharashtra, Adani Green Energy awarded a contract to ANDRITZ for the 1,500MW Tarali plant, following their earlier collaboration on the 500MW Chitravathi project. ANDRITZ is now involved in four major Indian PSH schemes, highlighting growing momentum to strengthen grid stability. India’s Central Electricity Authority has also identified over 100GW of PSH potential and is encouraging private sector participation through policy and tariff reforms. For hydropower engineers, India’s scale


presents both opportunities and technical challenges: ensuring grid synchronisation across vast areas, managing sediment loads in reservoirs, and designing reversible machinery for multi-hour daily cycling.


Emerging markets: tailored solutions Chile: Data-driven feasibility Chile’s electricity market faces extreme solar penetration, with wholesale prices frequently dropping to near zero during daytime hours. To manage this, HYVITY is developing a 450MW closed-loop pumped storage project, supported by HYDROGRID’s simulation platform.


Using HYDROGRID Insight, engineers can model curtailment risks, simulate investment scenarios, and compare hardware configurations before committing capital. This digital-first approach is increasingly important in markets where financial viability depends on arbitraging volatile power prices. For engineers, the challenge lies in designing schemes flexible enough to respond to rapid swings in market conditions while minimising water losses and efficiency penalties.


Philippines: Wawa In Southeast Asia, the Wawa project (600MW) in Rizal Province, Philippines, highlights pumped storage’s role in national energy planning. Phase 2 construction, with SMEC as Owner’s Engineer, will include dams, reservoirs, a powerhouse, and complex tunnel systems. The project is valued at US$2.57 billion and will provide 6,000MWh of storage daily. Wawa is intended to supply mid-merit and peak power to the Luzon grid, reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels and improving reliability during peak demand periods. For engineers, the key tasks include designing tunnels and reservoirs in steep terrain subject to seismic risks, and integrating the plant with the Luzon grid’s evolving renewable mix.


www.waterpowermagazine.com | October 2025 | 25


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