China has completed the world's tallest dam for a pumped-storage hydropower plant in Jurong City, Jiangsu Province, marking a milestone in renewable energy infrastructure. The 182.3-meter structure – equivalent to a 60-story building – supports a 1.35-gigawatt facility designed to store excess electricity during low-demand periods and release power during peak hours.
The project addresses energy stability challenges in the Yangtze River Delta, home to Shanghai and major manufacturing hubs. By balancing grid fluctuations, the plant enables greater integration of solar and wind power – crucial for China's pledge to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.
Engineering Marvel Meets Green Transition
Pumped-storage systems work like giant batteries: water is pumped uphill to reservoirs during off-peak times using surplus energy, then released through turbines when demand spikes. This Jiangsu facility can power 1.3 million households daily while reducing annual carbon emissions by 1.1 million tons.
Economic Implications
Analysts note the project strengthens energy security for East China's industrial clusters while creating a blueprint for similar installations nationwide. The National Energy Administration plans to double pumped-storage capacity to 120 GW by 2030, signaling opportunities for green technology investors.
