China Develops 3.6 GW Pumped Storage Hydropower at Fengning

The Fengning Pumped Storage Power Station in Hebei, China, became operational in late 2024, boasting a capacity of 3.6 GW through 12 reversible turbines of 300 MW each. This facility is the largest of its kind globally, designed to store renewable energy by pumping water to an elevated reservoir during periods of excess generation and releasing it to generate electricity when demand increases.

This technology is crucial for stabilizing the Chinese grid, which is the largest in the world, by providing rapid energy response and mitigating issues from renewable generation variability. The project's infrastructure leverages gravity for energy storage, marking a strategic shift towards massive energy storage systems amidst rising solar and wind generation.