China has officially completed the Fengning Pumped Storage Power Station located in Hebei province, setting the record as the world's largest facility of its kind. This major achievement, marked by the activation of the last turbine on August 11, 2024, brings the plant's total installed capacity to 3.6 gigawatts (GW).
Construction of the Fengning facility spanned over eleven years, beginning back in June 2013. The project was carried out in two phases, each contributing six 300-megawatt (MW) reversible pump-turbine units to the overall capacity.
The Gezhouba Group was responsible for the primary construction contract awarded back in April 2014. Meanwhile, ANDRITZ Hydro provided two variable speed generators as part of the second phase, which began in 2017.
Initially envisioned to support the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, the Fengning station now allows China to outpace the Bath County Pumped Storage Station located in the U.S. With this project reaching completion, China stands as a global leader in pumped storage hydropower.
Pumped storage facilities serve as critical assets for stabilizing energy grids, particularly as the usage of renewable energy surges. According to the World Hydropower Outlook 2024, China added 6.7 GW of new hydropower capacity in 2023, with over 6.2 GW being pumped storage.
Following the Fengning project, China aims to significantly increase its pumped storage capacity to 80 GW by 2027. The country has set its eyes on achieving a total hydropower capacity of 120 GW by 2030, highlighting its ambitious energy goals.
Globally, pumped storage hydropower remains the leading form of renewable energy storage, boasting nearly 200 GW of installed capacity. The International Hydropower Association (IHA) is actively promoting this technology with initiatives aimed at developing and improving pumped storage systems.
To push forward, the IHA will hold the International Forum for Pumped Storage Hydropower 2.0 event scheduled for Paris in 2025. Industry leaders will gather to explore future advancements and innovations within the pumped storage sector.
Pablo Valverde, Deputy CEO of IHA, expressed enthusiasm over the continuous innovations within the hydropower industry. He stated, “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 completion of the Fengning Pumped Storage Power Station stands as an emblematic example of China's commitment to renewable energy development. This facility demonstrates immense progress and sets the stage for future advancements on the global energy front.
