On November 10, 2026, in Chuji Township, Delingha City, Haixi Prefecture, Qinghai Province, the wind swept through the Bayin River Valley. At an altitude of 4008 meters, there are currently only gravel and dry grass on the mountain ridge. In a few years, a reservoir of still water will be stored here; The location of the downstream reservoir has also been marked next to the constructed water conservancy hub of Shanxiayin River. On the same day, news came from the State owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council that the 600000 kilowatt pumped storage power station in Delingha, the highest altitude pumped storage power station in northwest China, had officially started construction.

Plateau New Reservoir

The total investment of the power station is 5.227 billion yuan, mainly for the construction of facilities such as upper and lower reservoirs, water transmission systems, and underground powerhouses. The normal water level of the upper reservoir is 4008 meters above sea level, and the lower reservoir is arranged based on the existing Shuijixia water conservancy hub on the Bayin River, with a rated head of 652 meters.  

The project is designed as a daily regulated pure pumped storage power station, equipped with two single unit capacity 300000 kW vertical axis single-stage mixed flow reversible energy storage units. The designed annual power generation is 1.2 billion kWh, and the annual pumped storage capacity is 1.6 billion kWh. It is expected to be completed and put into operation in 2034.  

Due to the extreme cold and oxygen deficiency, as well as the unique geological conditions, the construction policy has carried out technical research and development on the complex working conditions of the plateau. The complete set of experience formed will fill the practical gap of high-altitude and large capacity energy storage projects in the region; Ecological protection runs through the entire cycle, construction wastewater is treated and reused, and temporary land is covered with soil for restoration after completion.

Pumped storage of green electricity

Pumped storage power stations do not produce new electricity, but store it for the power grid. During periods of low electricity consumption, surplus electricity is used to pump water from the lower reservoir to the upper reservoir, converting electrical energy into potential energy for water storage; During peak electricity consumption, discharge water to generate electricity, undertake tasks such as peak shaving and valley filling, frequency and phase modulation, and emergency backup for the power grid.  

It is known as the giant power bank of the power grid due to its mature technology, large capacity, and unlimited energy storage cycle; In extreme cases, it can start on its own without relying on other power sources, driving units without startup capabilities to restore power supply.  

This is particularly useful in Qinghai: the proportion of new energy installed capacity and power generation in the province has formed a dual main body, with random fluctuations in wind and solar power, and the power grid is abundant in summer and dry in winter, with daily profits and losses at night, requiring a more solid foundation for regulating the household.

Shortcomings in the Base

The Delingha 600000 kilowatt pumped storage power station is a key implementation project of the 14th Five Year Plan for the Medium - and Long Term Development of Pumped Storage (2021-2035) issued by the National Energy Administration.  

Delingha is known as the capital of solar thermal energy in China. It has built and put into operation 6.05 million kilowatts of new energy installed capacity, with 950000 kilowatts under construction. It has designated 1720 square kilometers of new energy development land and is moving towards a 10 million kilowatt level clean energy base.  

Photovoltaic wind power relies on the weather for its livelihood. Local molten salt solar thermal power excels in long-term peak shaving, while electrochemical energy storage excels in rapid response. What is lacking is the role of having sufficient capacity to support the bottom overnight. After the completion of the power station, it will form a multi-dimensional complementary energy storage and regulation system with the two, which will strengthen the power grid regulation guarantee for the Delingha 10 million kilowatt level clean energy base and fill the gaps in local large capacity energy storage.  

After being put into operation, it can save 464000 tons of standard coal and reduce 1.161 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.  keywords:Domestic new energy latest news、Energy storage industry

From surplus green electricity during the day to steady lights at night, after 2034, this plateau will have more confidence in preserving its scenery.Editor/Yang Meiling