Türkiye's more than 13 gigawatts of investment-ready pumped-storage hydropower potential could provide a major boost to grid flexibility and energy security as solar and wind capacity expands, but stronger regulatory and financial support is needed to unlock investment, Hydroelectric Power Plants Industrialists Association (HESİAD) Chair Elvan Tugsuz Guven said.
Speaking on Anadolu's Energy Terminal program, Guven said PSH had re-emerged as a key energy storage technology, adding that data from the State Hydraulic Works (DSİ) showed Türkiye had more than 13 gigawatts of investment-ready potential.
Guven noted that although support for PSH projects exists under the Renewable Energy Resources Support Mechanism (YEKDEM), the necessary secondary legislation has yet to be finalized.
"Funding has already been allocated within the renewable energy support mechanism for PSH projects. There is also a price support mechanism," she said.
"However, because the secondary legislation and implementing regulations have not yet been completed, and because the support level currently determined is insufficient to make these projects financially viable under project-finance models, investment progress has been slower than expected," Guven added.
- PSH boosts grid flexibility
Guven said around 99% of global electricity storage capacity is provided by PSH plants, adding that countries with abundant hydropower resources continue to combine renewable energy investments with such facilities.
She said closed-loop systems allow water to be pumped back into an upper reservoir during periods of low electricity demand and reused to generate power when demand rises.
This makes pumped-storage plants increasingly important for grid flexibility as solar and wind capacity expands, she added.
Referring to the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry's previously announced target of 2 gigawatts of PSH capacity, Guven expressed hope that investment decisions would soon be taken.
"We hope investment decisions will be taken in 2026 and 2027 so PSH plants can begin contributing to energy supply security as soon as possible," she said.
- Low daytime electricity prices create storage opportunity
Guven said Türkiye's installed solar capacity had reached around 24 gigawatts, creating opportunities for PSH plants to store electricity during periods of low daytime prices and generate power when demand rises.
Such systems could improve grid flexibility while supporting the greater integration of renewable energy, she said.
Guven also called for greater use of digitalization and artificial intelligence to maximize the efficient use of water resources for electricity generation.
"New technologies and digital solutions, including artificial intelligence, must be used much more extensively to ensure that water allocated for energy production is utilized more effectively and efficiently," she said.
Guven said hydropower plants have an operational lifespan of 80 to 100 years, adding that the rehabilitation of existing facilities, adoption of advanced technologies and expansion of hybrid power plant applications would further strengthen Türkiye's energy security.
She described hydropower as the "insurance policy" and "backbone" of solar and wind power, stressing that greater grid flexibility would be crucial to achieving the country's 2035 and 2053 energy targets.
By Humeyra Ayaz
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr
