China switches on the world’s tallest pumped-storage hydropower plant, generating 1.35B kWh of green power annually in Jiangsu.
JIANGSU: China has officially launched the world’s tallest dam-based pumped-storage hydropower station in the eastern province of Jiangsu. The State Grid Xinyuan Jiangsu Jurong Pumped Storage Power Station began operations on Tuesday, marking a major milestone in the country’s clean energy infrastructure.
Towering at 182.3 metres—roughly the height of a 60-storey building—the facility is now the highest pumped-storage hydropower dam in the world. It boasts a total installed capacity of 1.35 million kilowatts and is expected to generate approximately 1.35 billion kilowatt-hours of renewable electricity annually.
This engineering marvel is designed to store 17.07 million cubic metres of water, serving as a large-scale energy reservoir that supports peak power demands and balances grid fluctuations. Its commissioning is part of China’s broader strategy to expand green energy production under the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021–2025).
Since the start of this plan, China has added more than 44.53 million kilowatts in pumped-storage capacity, with 78 units now operational through the State Grid Corporation. These facilities play a key role in the country’s efforts to stabilise its power grid while cutting carbon emissions.
The activation of the Jurong facility reinforces China’s position as a global leader in renewable energy technology, and showcases its commitment to scaling up climate-smart infrastructure.
