The excavation of the underground powerhouse at the Wuhai Pumped Storage Power Station has been completed, marking a key milestone in the project’s construction, PowerChina has announced. Mechanical and electrical installations have also begun, signalling the transition to the next phase involving concrete pouring and further equipment setup.
The Wuhai pumped storage project, located in Haibowan District of Wuhai City, includes an upper and lower reservoir, a water transmission system, an underground powerhouse, and a surface switchyard. The powerhouse, built inside the mountain between the two reservoirs, is 170m long, 25m wide, and 53.8m high. It will contain four 300MW reversible pump-turbine units designed to transfer water between the reservoirs and support energy storage and conversion.
Excavation of the underground powerhouse began on October 16, 2023. The Beijing Institute led the project and brought in technical experts for on-site inspections to improve design and support strategies throughout the process.
This power station is part of China’s national energy strategy under the 14th Five-Year Plan. Once operational, it will provide peak load adjustment, frequency and phase regulation, emergency backup, and black start capabilities for the western Mengxi power grid. The facility is expected to enhance grid stability and support the integration of renewable energy sources in the region.
