Scaling up for the incoming pumped storage wave

As governments have increasingly recognised the need for long duration electricity storage, pumped storage is being considered as a major tool for grid storage and flexibility. This has seen impacts on the supply chain, as there is tremendous growth in demand for PSH.

To support the development of pumped storage at the rapid pace and scale required to support net zero ambitions, the industry will use this plenary session to consider how it is going to increase its capacity across the supply chain.  

This plenary session of the International Forum on Pumped Storage will build on the interventions from the first day, and the policies required to support pumped storage, and focus on understanding how the sector can deliver on time and on budget, investing in the supply chain, and empowering the next generation to explore careers in hydropower.  

The panel discussion will feature senior figures from manufacturers, developers, consultants, and the supply chain discussing key topics such as:

• On time, on budget – how to minimise cost and schedule over-runs.
• Supporting the workforce: mentoring, role models, and networking opportunities  
• Expanding the supply chain to deliver more projects.
• Engaging communities effectively to turn stakeholder risks into opportunities, ensuring compliance with international best practices.

Session objectives

• Describe the delivery challenges, and how the sector will address them, to increase 50GW of new capacity per year.
• Understand where the supply chain needs to invest to expand capacity, and what might stop that investment from happening.
• Convey what the industry has to do to ensure more projects are built to time and budget, and what governments and regulators could do to help.
• Discuss what the sector has to do to be attractive to new talent to ensure a capable workforce.
• Discuss how the sector can ensure projects are delivered sustainably and prioritise social benefits and local engagement.