Large-scale construction begins for largest pumped storage power station

The largest pumped storage power station in terms of capacity in East China has entered the full-scale construction phase and is scheduled to begin generating power before 2030, said its operator, GCL Energy Technology Co Ltd.

As an efficient and flexible peak-shaving power source, pumped storage can use excess electricity during off-peak hours to pump water from a lower reservoir to an upper one and release the water to generate power during peak demand.

Having a total investment of approximately 12.5 billion yuan ($1.76 billion), this project is the largest clean energy project invested by GCL Energy Technology. The project is believed to further advance the development of the clean energy industry in East China, driving local economic development while ensuring the stable operation of the new power system in the country, it said.

Located in Zhejiang province and near the load center of the East China power grid, the power station will be equipped with six reversible hydrogenerators, each with a capacity of 400,000 kilowatts, bringing the total installed capacity to 2.4 million kilowatts.

It is expected to generate an average of 2.52 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, save about 480,000 metric tons of standard coal each year, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 960,000 tons.

zhengxin@chinadaily.com.cn