Construction workers install a rotor for a pumped-storage hydropower project in Shiyan, Hubei province, on June 16. SHI RUHUA/FOR CHINA DAILY
China's pumped-storage hydroelectricity sector is gearing up for development during the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period to serve as a critical engine for the nation's green transition and long-term energy security, industry experts said.
Over the next half-decade, the country expects to see approximately 100 million kilowatts of new pumped-storage capacity become operational, with an average annual rollout exceeding 20 million kW, placing the industry at a record level, they said.
"Pumped-storage is to play an increasingly irreplaceable strategic role in expanding the scale and quality of new energy, ensuring the safe and stable operation of the power system, said Zhao Zenghai, deputy head of the China Renewable Energy Engineering Institute.
Zhao said that compared with the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period, the sector's development scale is expected to experience a rapid leap.
