Under the background of the annual average growth of 200 million kilowatts of new energy installed capacity, the peak shaving pressure of the power grid has increased sharply, and pumped storage has jumped from the "supporting role" of the power system to the "pillar" of energy transformation. In 2025, driven by policies, capital, and technology, this track with a total investment of over 2 trillion yuan will experience a comprehensive outbreak, profoundly reshaping China's energy development pattern.

With the accelerated integration of new energy sources such as wind power and photovoltaics, the pressure of "peak shaving and frequency regulation" in the power grid is becoming increasingly prominent. Pumped storage, with its advantages of large scale, long lifespan, and high reliability, has become the "stabilizer" and "super power bank" of new power systems. As of the end of 2024, China's total investment in pumped storage projects in operation and under construction exceeds 2 trillion yuan, and the approved total installed capacity under construction reaches 200 million kilowatts, ranking first in the world for nine consecutive years. In 2025, the industry will enter a period of comprehensive explosion and become a key force in promoting the "dual carbon" goal.

In November 2025, China Yajiang Group acquired the Zigui pumped storage project in Hubei Province as a wholly-owned subsidiary, officially entering the field of pumped storage. The project is planned to have an installed capacity of 1600MW, using two 800MW impulse type units with a total investment of 12 billion yuan. Designed with the "world's highest water head" as the technical benchmark, it will accumulate core technology and management experience for high difficulty hydropower projects and provide a typical sample for cross-border layout in the industry.

In 2025, the investment heat in the pumped storage industry will soar, forming a pattern led by central enterprises and followed by diversified capital. State Grid's subsidiary, State Grid Xinyuan, completed a capital increase and share expansion of 36.5 billion yuan, leveraging over 300 billion yuan in project investment; Southern Power Grid has established its first publicly listed pumped storage company, with China Power Construction winning over 150 billion yuan in pumped storage projects in four years. At the same time, enterprises such as Chuantou Energy and China Petroleum have entered the market across borders, and local energy groups have accelerated their layout. The number of new related enterprises added throughout the year has increased by over 60% year-on-year, and the market vitality continues to burst.

By 2025, over 200 pumped storage projects will be simultaneously promoted nationwide, with landmark projects being intensively implemented. The Zigui Power Station in Hubei Province has broken industry standards with the world's highest water head, while the Ninghai Power Station in Zhejiang Province has an annual consumption of over 5 billion kilowatt hours of abandoned wind and solar power. The Golmud project in Qinghai Province has set a new example for the construction of the "Shage Desert" area. Data shows that from January to November of that year, the total bidding amount for national pumped storage projects reached 320 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 45%, showing a regional distribution pattern of "strong in the east and prosperous in the west".

National policies continue to intensify and build a comprehensive security system. The Guiding Opinions on Promoting the Consumption and Regulation of New Energy, issued in 2025, form a closed loop with previous planning and management measures, and clarify the goal of achieving a total pumped storage capacity of 120 million kilowatts by 2030. The "two-part electricity pricing" mechanism solves the problem of profitability, ensures stable returns for investors, greatly stimulates investment enthusiasm, and safeguards the development of the industry.

While the industry is rapidly expanding, it is facing challenges such as scarce high-quality sites, incomplete electricity pricing mechanisms, and ecological technology constraints. In the future, technological iteration, "hybrid energy storage", renovation of existing power stations, and international marketization will become the main development lines. By 2030, 120 million kilowatts of pumped storage installed capacity will consume over 300 billion kilowatt hours of abandoned wind and solar power annually, reducing carbon emissions by 250 million tons and providing solid support for increasing the proportion of new energy to over 25%. Keywords: infrastructure projects, infrastructure engineering projects, infrastructure news and information

The explosive growth of pumped storage industry is an inevitable result of China's energy structure transformation. In the next five years, the industry will shift from "scale expansion" to "high-quality development", with technology, cost, and ecology becoming the core competitive focus. A series of "super power banks" have taken root in the mountains and rivers, carrying the heavy responsibility of developing new energy and achieving the "dual carbon" goals. The "second half" of pumped storage energy will surely write a more exciting chapter in energy transformation. Editor/Xu Shengpeng