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Deep underground in the Swiss Alps, the Nant de Drance power plant is a prime example of a clean, innovative and reliable energy source that may hold the key to meeting the global goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

Due to complete commissioning in 2022, the plant uses pumped storage hydropower – pumping and releasing water between two reservoirs – to balance the natural fluctuations of variable renewable energy sources on an electricity grid. The site has a total output of 900 MW, which is equivalent to a large nuclear power station.

Pump storage hydropower is incredibly important for the transition to clean energy because it provides grid stability while mitigating the effects of intermittent sources such as solar and wind power. It is one of the most efficient forms of power generation and storage around.

This film was premiered at the 2021 World Hydropower Congress and produced by IHA and ITN Productions in collaboration with GE Renewable Energy. Featuring insights from Pascal Radue, CEO of GE Renewable Energy Hydro Solutions, the film explores how investment in pumped storage hydropower is integral to the clean energy transition.

GE Renewable Energy is a Supporting Partner to the World Hydropower Congress.

Learn more: hydropower.org/congress

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