The future of pumped hydro

The 2025 World Hydropower Outlook, released today by the International Hydropower Association, reveals strong global momentum for hydropower development, led by a sharp rise in pumped storage hydropower (PSH) – long considered the “water battery” of the energy sector. This report on accelerating the future of pumped storage hydropower (PSH) is released as part of the Storage Innovations (SI) 2030 strategic initiative. The objective of SI 2030 is to develop specific and quantifiable research, development, and deployment pathways to achieve the targets identified. Pumped hydro storage is a mature technology that has been used for decades to store energy and stabilize the grid. As the world transitions to a low-carbon energy future, pumped hydro storage is poised to play an increasingly important role. In this article, we will explore the latest developments. The global hydropower development pipeline now exceeds 1,075 GW, including 600GW of pumped storage and 475GW of conventional projects. China continues to dominate global hydropower development, with 14.4GW of new capacity added in 2024, including 7.75GW of PSH. Africa more than doubles the previous. Pumped storage hydropower is one of the oldest and most reliable forms of energy storage, dating back to the early 20th century. PSH is experiencing a resurgence in project development across the globe, driven by the increasing need for grid stability and renewable energy .Pumped storage. It is often mistakenly considered a tapped resource, but according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s 2016 Hydropower Vision report, hydropower’s capacity can sustainably add 50 new gigawatts by 2050 — 36 GW of which is pumped storage. The National Hydropower Association (NHA) released the 2024. By balancing supply and demand, pumped hydropower storage helps stabilize the electrical grid, reducing the need for additional power plants and associated environmental impacts. However, constructing reservoirs and associated infrastructure can lead to significant land use changes, water quality.