EDF, the France-based energy giant, has unveiled plans to develop a 5 GW pumped hydro storage facility in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. This ambitious project aims to store energy for up to 12 hours, providing crucial support for grid stability as renewable energy becomes an increasingly significant part of the UAE's energy portfolio.

Luc Koechlin, CEO of EDF Middle East, shared the initiative during the Ras Al Khaimah Municipality Department Energy Summit, emphasizing the potential of the project to transform the UAE’s renewable energy infrastructure. “This initiative aligns with the UAE’s ambitious climate goals and aims to provide reliable and sustainable energy storage solutions capable of stabilising electricity supply for the long term,” Koechlin stated.

The proposed project expands on EDF’s regional expertise, including its ongoing work on Dubai’s Hatta pumped-storage hydroelectric project. The Hatta project, with a capacity of 250 MW and 1,500 MWh of storage, is expected to be operational by early 2025 and is currently more than 94% complete, with an investment of AED 1.42 billion.

The 5 GW pumped hydro storage project exemplifies the growing role of pumped-storage technology in global energy strategies, especially in regions like the UAE that are prioritising energy resilience and a shift away from fossil fuels. Similarly, India has also been advancing pumped storage projects to address renewable energy intermittency challenges, with the Ministry of Power announcing budgetary support for hydro and pumped storage projects amounting to Rs 124.6 billion. This initiative will support 31 GW of cumulative hydroelectric capacity, including 15 GW dedicated to pumped storage, from 2024-25 to 2031-32.

(Mercom)