Română
БългарскиHrvatskiČeštinaDanskNederlandsEnglishEestiSuomiFrançaisDeutschΕλληνικάMagyarGaeilgeItalianoLatviešuLietuviųMaltiPolskiPortuguêsRomânăSlovenčinaSlovenščinaEspañolSvenska
127 pumped-storage plants

24 countries · operating + construction + announced

72 of 72 rivers scored
Powered byTERRA 2100
RiverData.org · infrastructure intelligence

Hydrostorage

Europe’s pumped-storage fleet in one expandable directory: generating power, stored energy where published, hydraulic head, river context and project status.

Pumped storage
127plants & projects
24countries
53 GWoperating capacity
209 GWhpublished storage
Country
127 shown
operatingFrance

Grand'Maison

Eau d'Olle

Generating capacity1,800 MW
Stored energy
34.8 GWh
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1985
Project notes

Europe's largest pumped-storage plant; twelve sets split between a surface and an underground powerhouse on the Eau d'Olle

operatingUnited Kingdom

Dinorwig

Closed-loop / lake system

Generating capacity1,728 MW
Stored energy
9.1 GWh
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1984
Project notes

Europe's fastest-responding big store, inside Elidir mountain between Marchlyn Mawr and Llyn Peris

operatingSpain

La Muela (Cortes-La Muela)

Júcar

Generating capacity1,490 MW
Stored energy
24.5 GWh
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1989
Project notes

La Muela I (1989) and II (2013) share a plateau basin 500 m above the Cortes reservoir — Europe's largest pumping complex on one site

announcedUnited Kingdom

Coire Glas

Closed-loop / lake system

Generating capacity1,300 MW
Stored energy
30 GWh
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
Not yet / unknown
Project notes

SSE's Great Glen scheme above Loch Lochy — the UK's first new large PSH in 40 years; FID hinges on the 2026 cap-and-floor award

operatingLuxembourg

Vianden

Our

Generating capacity1,296 MW
Stored energy
4.92 GWh
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1964
Project notes

SEO's eleven-set plant on the Our; the 200 MW eleventh machine arrived in 2015

operatingUkraine

Dniester PSP

Dniester

Generating capacity1,296 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
2009
Project notes

Four of seven planned 324 MW sets run; the 2,268 MW build-out, due around 2028, would make it Europe's largest

operatingItaly

Entracque (Luigi Einaudi)

Gesso

Generating capacity1,184 MW
Stored energy
17.04 GWh
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1982
Project notes

Italy's largest hydro plant: the Chiotas (1,064 MW) and Rovina sections share the Piastra lower reservoir on the Gesso

operatingBelgium

Coo-Trois-Ponts

Amblève

Generating capacity1,164 MW
Stored energy
5.82 GWh
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1971
Project notes

Engie's three-basin plant above the Amblève at Coo, uprated past 1.1 GW in the 2020s

operatingGermany

Goldisthal

Schwarza

Generating capacity1,060 MW
Stored energy
8.48 GWh
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
2003
Project notes

Germany's largest PSH and Europe's first big plant with variable-speed sets, on the Thuringian Schwarza

operatingGermany

Markersbach

Große Mittweida

Generating capacity1,045 MW
Stored energy
4.02 GWh
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1979
Project notes

Six 175 MW sets in the Erzgebirge above the Große Mittweida; Germany's second-largest store

operatingItaly

Presenzano

Volturno

Generating capacity1,000 MW
Stored energy
7 GWh
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1991
Project notes

Four 250 MW sets between the Cesima hill basin and the Volturno plain north of Naples

operatingItaly

Roncovalgrande

Closed-loop / lake system

Generating capacity1,000 MW
Stored energy
17.68 GWh
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1971
Project notes

Pumps from Lake Maggiore 740 m up to Lago Delio; the hall in the cliff holds eight sets

announcedRomania

Tarnița–Lăpuștești

Someșul Cald

Generating capacity1,000 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
Not yet / unknown
Project notes

Studied since the 1980s above the Tarnița reservoir near Cluj; still lacks financing and a start date

operatingSwitzerland

Limmern (Linth-Limmern)

Linth

Generating capacity1,000 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
2016
Project notes

Axpo's cavern plant lifts Limmernsee water 630 m to the dammed Muttsee, 2,474 m up — Europe's highest big reservoir

announcedUkraine

Kaniv PSP

Dnieper

Generating capacity1,000 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
Not yet / unknown
Project notes

Soviet-era project on the Kaniv reservoir repeatedly restarted by Ukrhydroenergo; construction remains suspended

operatingItaly

Edolo

Oglio

Generating capacity977.5 MW
Stored energy
4.89 GWh
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1985
Project notes

Eight sets on the Oglio at Edolo fed from Lago d'Avio; commonly rounded to a gigawatt

operatingFrance

Montézic

Truyère

Generating capacity910 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1982
Project notes

Four 227 MW sets underground on the Truyère; EDF's second-largest storage plant

operatingGermany

Wehr

Wehra

Generating capacity910 MW
Stored energy
6.07 GWh
Hydraulic head
600 m
Commissioned
1975
Project notes

The Hornberg basin sits 600 m above the Wehra valley — the biggest machine in the Black Forest group

operatingLithuania

Kruonis

Nemunas

Generating capacity900 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1992
Project notes

Four 225 MW sets against the Kaunas reservoir on the Nemunas, built to firm the Baltic grid, with room for a fifth unit

operatingSwitzerland

Nant de Drance

Closed-loop / lake system

Generating capacity900 MW
Stored energy
20 GWh
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
2022
Project notes

Six variable-speed sets between the Emosson and Vieux Emosson lakes above the Rhône's Trient gorge; 20 GWh of storage

operatingPortugal

Gouvães

Tâmega

Generating capacity880 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
2022
Project notes

Pure pumping plant of Iberdrola's Tâmega 'giga-battery', working against the Daivões reservoir

operatingBulgaria

Chaira

Closed-loop / lake system

Generating capacity864 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1993
Project notes

The Balkans' largest PSH, below the Belmeken reservoir; offline after a March 2022 turbine failure, with unit 2 back at 210 MW in May 2025 and two more sets due through 2026

operatingSpain

Villarino

Tormes

Generating capacity857 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1970
Project notes

Six sets 400 m underground pump the vast Almendra reservoir on the Tormes against the Duero canyon

operatingFrance

Revin

Meuse

Generating capacity808 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1976
Project notes

Upper basin on the plateau above the Meuse loop at Revin — lowland France's counterpart to the Alpine stores

operatingFrance

Super Bissorte

Arc

Generating capacity742 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
Not yet / unknown
Project notes

Bissorte's reversible extension in the Maurienne, working the 1930s Bissorte dam against the Arc valley floor

operatingPortugal

Frades II (Venda Nova III)

Cávado

Generating capacity736 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
2017
Project notes

Two 368 MW variable-speed sets — among Europe's largest such machines — on the same Rabagão–Cávado drop as Frades I

operatingSlovakia

Čierny Váh

Čierny Váh

Generating capacity735.16 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
434 m
Commissioned
1981
Project notes

The largest power station in Slovakia of any kind; upper basin dug into the ridge above the Čierny Váh valley

operatingAustria

Malta-Hauptstufe

Möll

Generating capacity730 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
1,106 m
Commissioned
1979
Project notes

Europe's highest-head pumped storage; the Rottau powerhouse in the Möll valley works 1,106 m below the Kölnbrein reservoir

operatingPoland

Żarnowiec

Piaśnica

Generating capacity716 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1983
Project notes

Poland's largest PSH, on glacial Lake Żarnowiec — built to partner a nuclear plant that was never finished

under constructionGreece

Amfilochia

Acheloos

Generating capacity680 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
Not yet / unknown
Project notes

Terna's twin upper basins (Agios Georgios 460 MW, Pyrgos 220 MW) share the Kastraki reservoir on the Acheloos; first units due 2027

operatingCzechia

Dlouhé stráně

Divoká Desná

Generating capacity650 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
510.7 m
Commissioned
1996
Project notes

Largest hydro plant in Czechia; twin 325 MW Francis sets under Mravenečník, with the upper basin dug into the Dlouhé stráně summit

operatingNorway

Saurdal

Closed-loop / lake system

Generating capacity640 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
Not yet / unknown
Project notes

Norway's largest pumped-storage plant; two of its four sets are reversible, cycling Blåsjø water in the Ulla-Førre scheme

operatingSerbia

Bajina Bašta

Drina

Generating capacity614 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1982
Project notes

Two 307 MW sets pump 600 m up from the Perućac reservoir on the Drina to Lake Zaovine on Tara mountain

operatingItaly

San Fiorano

Oglio

Generating capacity568 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
1,404 m
Commissioned
1973
Project notes

Italy's highest head — 1,404 m from Lago d'Arno down to the Oglio at Sellero

operatingPortugal

Alqueva

Guadiana

Generating capacity518 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
2004
Project notes

Two twin-set reversible stations (2004 and 2012) on Iberia's largest reservoir, pumping against the Pedrógão pool of the Guadiana

operatingItaly

Anapo

Anapo

Generating capacity500 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
Not yet / unknown
Project notes

Sicily's big storage plant, in caverns beside the Anapo gorge above Syracuse

operatingPoland

Porąbka-Żar

Soła

Generating capacity500 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1979
Project notes

Upper basin carved into the summit of Mt Żar, lower pool on the Soła cascade

operatingItaly

San Giacomo (Vomano)

Vomano

Generating capacity490 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
Not yet / unknown
Project notes

Mixed pumped stage between the Campotosto and Provvidenza reservoirs under the Gran Sasso

operatingAustria

Limberg II

Kapruner Ache

Generating capacity480 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
346 m
Commissioned
2012
Project notes

Reversible cavern sets between the Mooserboden and Wasserfallboden reservoirs above Kaprun

operatingAustria

Limberg III

Kapruner Ache

Generating capacity480 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
2025
Project notes

Opened September 2025 on the same reservoir pair as Limberg II; both motor-generators failed within weeks, with repaired sets due back in September and December 2026

operatingCzechia

Dalešice

Jihlava

Generating capacity480 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1978
Project notes

Four reversible sets between the Dalešice and Mohelno reservoirs; the same Jihlava pool cools the Dukovany nuclear plant

operatingFrance

Le Cheylas

Isère

Generating capacity480 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1979
Project notes

Two 240 MW reversible sets between the Flumet basin and the Isère's Grésivaudan valley

operatingGermany

Waldeck II

Eder

Generating capacity480 MW
Stored energy
3.43 GWh
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1974
Project notes

Two 240 MW cavern sets beside Waldeck I, pumping from the Eder's Affoldern pool

operatingSwitzerland

Hongrin-Léman (Veytaux)

Closed-loop / lake system

Generating capacity480 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1971
Project notes

Pumps Lake Geneva water 880 m up to Lac de l'Hongrin; the 2016 Veytaux-2 cavern doubled it to 480 MW

operatingSpain

Estany Gento–Sallente

Flamisell

Generating capacity468 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
400 m
Commissioned
1985
Project notes

Pure pumping plant in a cavern between the Sallente and Gento lakes of the Catalan Pyrenees

operatingAustria

Kops II

Ill

Generating capacity450 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
818 m
Commissioned
2008
Project notes

Three Pelton sets with separate pumps (525 MW pumping) between the Kops reservoir and the Rifa basin at Partenen

operatingBosnia and Herzegovina

Čapljina

Trebišnjica

Generating capacity440 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1979
Project notes

Underground plant near the Neretva delta; the karstic Trebišnjica, half canal by now, is its upper pool

operatingUnited Kingdom

Cruachan

Closed-loop / lake system

Generating capacity440 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1965
Project notes

The original 'Hollow Mountain' under Ben Cruachan, pumping from Loch Awe; Drax shelved its 600 MW expansion in 2025

operatingAustria

Reißeck II

Closed-loop / lake system

Generating capacity430 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
595 m
Commissioned
2015
Project notes

Links the Reißeck and Malta groups, cycling water between the Mühldorfer See and Gößkar reservoirs

operatingSpain

Aldeadávila II

Duero

Generating capacity421 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1986
Project notes

Two reversible sets inside the Duero canyon plant; the full Aldeadávila complex reaches 1,243 MW

operatingFrance

La Coche

Isère

Generating capacity384 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1976
Project notes

France's first high-head pumped storage, above the Isère at Aigueblanche; an extra Pelton unit joined the four reversible sets in 2019

operatingGreece

Thisavros

Nestos

Generating capacity384 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
Not yet / unknown
Project notes

Greece's largest hydro plant, a reversible station on the Nestos gorge near the Bulgarian border

operatingItaly

Santa Massenza

Sarca

Generating capacity377 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
Not yet / unknown
Project notes

Post-war cavern plant in Trentino that can pump back up to Lake Molveno

operatingSpain

Tajo de la Encantada

Guadalhorce

Generating capacity377 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1978
Project notes

Spain's south-coast store above the El Chorro gorge of the Guadalhorce

operatingBulgaria

Belmeken

Closed-loop / lake system

Generating capacity375 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
Not yet / unknown
Project notes

Top stage of the Belmeken–Sestrimo–Chaira cascade in the Rila mountains; two of its five sets are reversible

operatingAustria

Häusling

Ziller

Generating capacity360 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
696 m
Commissioned
1988
Project notes

Second Zillertal stage; pumps from the Ziller headwaters back up to the 186 m Zillergründl arch dam

operatingAustria

Obervermuntwerk II

Ill

Generating capacity360 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
2019
Project notes

Cavern plant between the Silvretta and Vermunt reservoirs at the Ill's source; 360 MW in both turbine and pump mode

operatingGermany

Säckingen

Rhine

Generating capacity360 MW
Stored energy
2.06 GWh
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1967
Project notes

Cavern plant under the Eggberg with its basin on the Hotzenwald shoulder, tailing into the High Rhine

operatingSpain

Aguayo

Closed-loop / lake system

Generating capacity360 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1982
Project notes

Pumps from the Alsa reservoir in Cantabria's Besaya basin; Repsol has an expansion to ~1 GW on the books

operatingUnited Kingdom

Ffestiniog

Closed-loop / lake system

Generating capacity360 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1963
Project notes

Britain's first major pumped storage, between Llyn Stwlan and the Tan-y-Grisiau reservoir

operatingSwitzerland

Grimsel 2

Closed-loop / lake system

Generating capacity348 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
400 m
Commissioned
1980
Project notes

KWO's cavern plant between the Oberaarsee and Grimselsee at the Aare headwaters; four ~87 MW sets, one converter-fed

operatingPortugal

Aguieira

Mondego

Generating capacity336 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1981
Project notes

Three reversible groups on the Mondego above Coimbra

operatingItaly

Bargi

Limentra

Generating capacity330 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1975
Project notes

Two sets on the Suviana reservoir in the Apennines; offline since a fatal April 2024 machine-hall explosion, with repairs still running

operatingGermany

Hohenwarte II

Saale

Generating capacity320 MW
Stored energy
2.09 GWh
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1966
Project notes

Eight small sets on the Saale cascade's Hohenwarte reservoir — the GDR's flagship store

operatingGreece

Sfikia

Aliakmonas

Generating capacity315 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
Not yet / unknown
Project notes

Three reversible sets on the middle Aliakmonas, regulating PPC's cascade below Mount Vermio

operatingSpain

Puente Bibey

Bibei

Generating capacity315 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
Not yet / unknown
Project notes

Mixed plant of the Sil system with pumping capability, downstream of the Conso group

operatingUkraine

Tashlyk PSP

Southern Buh

Generating capacity302 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
2006
Project notes

Two of six planned 151 MW sets run beside the South Ukraine nuclear plant; unit 3 has crept forward for years

operatingSwitzerland

Sarganserland (Mapragg–Sarelli)

Tamina

Generating capacity300 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
Not yet / unknown
Project notes

Two-stage Tamina scheme with pumping between the Gigerwald reservoir and the Mapragg basin

operatingUnited Kingdom

Foyers

Closed-loop / lake system

Generating capacity300 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1974
Project notes

Pumps from Loch Ness up the fault scarp to Loch Mhòr, reusing the site of the 1896 aluminium-works hydro

operatingSpain

Conso

Camba

Generating capacity298 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1970
Project notes

Core of the San Agustín–Conso group in the Bibei headwaters of Galicia's Sil system

operatingAustria

Rodund II

Ill

Generating capacity295 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
354 m
Commissioned
1976
Project notes

Single large reversible set beside Rodund I; rebuilt after a 2009 machine fire

operatingIreland

Turlough Hill

Closed-loop / lake system

Generating capacity292 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1974
Project notes

Ireland's only pumped storage, between an artificial summit basin and the glacial Lough Nahanagan in the Wicklow mountains

operatingAustria

Kühtai

Closed-loop / lake system

Generating capacity289 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1981
Project notes

Pumping stage of TIWAG's Sellrain–Silz group, cycling the Finstertal and Längental reservoirs above the Inn

operatingCroatia

Velebit

Zrmanja

Generating capacity276 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1984
Project notes

Pumps from the Zrmanja up to the Opsenica basin on the Velebit karst plateau

operatingNorway

Aurland III

Closed-loop / lake system

Generating capacity270 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
Not yet / unknown
Project notes

Reversible stage of the Aurland mountain cascade above the Sognefjord

operatingPortugal

Foz Tua

Douro

Generating capacity270 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
2017
Project notes

Dam on the lower Tua whose reversible sets pump against the Douro backwater

operatingSpain

Valdecañas

Tajo

Generating capacity249 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
Not yet / unknown
Project notes

Three reversible sets at the Valdecañas dam on the middle Tajo

operatingItaly

Taloro

Taloro

Generating capacity240 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
Not yet / unknown
Project notes

Sardinia's pumped storage, between the Cucchinadorza and Benzone reservoirs on the Taloro

operatingUkraine

Kyiv PSP

Dnieper

Generating capacity235.5 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1970
Project notes

The USSR's first big pumped storage (1970–72), on the shore of the Kyiv reservoir

operatingAustria

Roßhag

Zemm

Generating capacity231 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
630 m
Commissioned
1972
Project notes

Zemm valley plant pumping against the Schlegeis reservoir in the Zillertal group

operatingAustria

Lünersee

Closed-loop / lake system

Generating capacity229 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
974 m
Commissioned
1958
Project notes

Five sets between the Lünersee and the Latschau basin; illwerke's planned Lünerseewerk II would add 1,000 MW on the same lake

operatingGermany

Erzhausen

Leine

Generating capacity220 MW
Stored energy
1.1 GWh
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1964
Project notes

Lower Saxony's only large PSH, with its basin on the Selter ridge above the Leine

operatingGermany

Witznau

Schlücht

Generating capacity220 MW
Stored energy
0.63 GWh
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1943
Project notes

Middle stage of the Schluchsee cascade, on the Schlücht between the Häusern and Waldshut steps

operatingItaly

Fadalto

Closed-loop / lake system

Generating capacity220 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
Not yet / unknown
Project notes

Mixed plant of the Piave–Santa Croce cascade, pumping between Lago Morto and Lago di Santa Croce

operatingSpain

Soutelo

Closed-loop / lake system

Generating capacity215 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
Not yet / unknown
Project notes

Companion pumping plant to Conso in the Bibei headwaters

operatingSpain

Guillena

Rivera de Huelva

Generating capacity210 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1973
Project notes

Three reversible sets north of Seville — Andalusia's counterweight to the Pyrenean stores

operatingPortugal

Salamonde II

Cávado

Generating capacity207 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
Not yet / unknown
Project notes

Single large reversible set in a cavern beside the 1953 Salamonde dam on the Cávado

operatingNorway

Duge

Sira

Generating capacity200 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1974
Project notes

Two reversible sets at the top of the Sira-Kvina system, between the Svartevatn and Gravatn reservoirs

operatingPoland

Solina

San

Generating capacity200 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1968
Project notes

Two of the four sets at Poland's tallest dam are reversible against the Myczkowce pool of the San; modernised 2003

operatingSpain

Bolarque II

Tajo

Generating capacity200 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
240 m
Commissioned
1974
Project notes

Four reversible sets lift Tagus water 240 m to La Bujeda, the head pond of the Tagus–Segura transfer

operatingSpain

Moralets

Noguera Ribagorçana

Generating capacity200 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
Not yet / unknown
Project notes

Pumps from the Baserca reservoir up to Llauset, under the Pyrenean main ridge

operatingAustria

Rodund I

Ill

Generating capacity198 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
354 m
Commissioned
1952
Project notes

Workhorse of the Obere Ill–Lünersee group, between the Latschau basin and the Ill at Vandans

operatingSlovakia

Liptovská Mara

Váh

Generating capacity198 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
48 m
Commissioned
1976
Project notes

Mixed plant on the Váh: two Kaplan sets work natural inflow, two reversible Dériaz sets pump from the Bešeňová pool

operatingPortugal

Frades I (Venda Nova II)

Cávado

Generating capacity191 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
2005
Project notes

First reversible extension of the Venda Nova scheme, from the Rabagão reservoir down to Salamonde

under constructionAustria

Kühtai 2

Closed-loop / lake system

Generating capacity190 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
Not yet / unknown
Project notes

Two 95 MW pump-turbines and a new Kühtai reservoir; test operation began August 2026, regular service planned late 2027

operatingPortugal

Baixo Sabor

Sabor

Generating capacity190 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
2016
Project notes

Two-step reversible scheme on the Sabor, the Douro's last wild tributary before it was dammed

operatingSlovenia

Avče

Soča

Generating capacity185 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
2010
Project notes

Slovenia's only pumped storage, a variable-speed set above the Soča at Avče

operatingSwitzerland

Ferrera

Hinterrhein

Generating capacity180 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1962
Project notes

Kraftwerke Hinterrhein's pumping stage between the Valle di Lei reservoir and the Sufers pool on the Hinterrhein

under constructionAustria

Ebensee

Traun

Generating capacity170 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
Not yet / unknown
Project notes

Energie AG shaft plant pumping out of the Traunsee; completion planned for 2027

under constructionAustria

Tauernmoos

Closed-loop / lake system

Generating capacity170 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
Not yet / unknown
Project notes

ÖBB's 16.7 Hz railway plant between the Weißsee and Tauernmoossee in the Stubach valley; misfabricated turbine spirals pushed commissioning to summer 2028

operatingSwitzerland

Robiei

Bavona

Generating capacity165 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1968
Project notes

Ofima's pumping hub in the Maggia system, cycling water between the Robiei and San Carlo basins in Val Bavona

operatingAustria

Limberg I

Kapruner Ache

Generating capacity160 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
Not yet / unknown
Project notes

The 1950s Kaprun Oberstufe between Mooserboden and Wasserfallboden; its generators are under repair through 2026 alongside Limberg III's

under constructionGermany

Happurg

Closed-loop / lake system

Generating capacity160 MW
Stored energy
0.9 GWh
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
Not yet / unknown
Project notes

Offline since 2011 when the upper basin floor failed; Uniper is rebuilding it for a return around 2028

operatingGermany

Langenprozelten

Sinn

Generating capacity160 MW
Stored energy
0.95 GWh
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1976
Project notes

Runs on the 16.7 Hz railway grid for DB Energie, above the Sinn in the Spessart

operatingPoland

Żydowo

Radew

Generating capacity157 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1971
Project notes

Early lake-to-lake plant between Kamienne and Kwiecko lakes in Pomerania

operatingGermany

Herdecke

Ruhr

Generating capacity153 MW
Stored energy
0.59 GWh
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1989
Project notes

Replaced Arthur Koepchen's landmark 1930 machine hall on the Hengstey lake of the Ruhr

operatingGermany

Waldshut

Rhine

Generating capacity150 MW
Stored energy
0.4 GWh
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1951
Project notes

Bottom stage of the Schluchsee cascade, pumping straight out of the High Rhine

operatingItaly

Pont Ventoux-Susa

Dora Riparia

Generating capacity150 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
Not yet / unknown
Project notes

High-head Susa valley scheme with pumping between Val Clarea basins on the Dora Riparia

operatingPortugal

Torrão

Douro

Generating capacity146 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1988
Project notes

Reversible plant at the Tâmega mouth, pumping from the Douro's Crestuma pool

operatingBelgium

Plate-Taille

Eau d'Heure

Generating capacity144 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1981
Project notes

Sits on Belgium's largest artificial lakes, built to compensate Sambre water taken for cooling

operatingAustria

Feldsee

Closed-loop / lake system

Generating capacity140 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
2009
Project notes

Kelag's two-set plant in the Fragant group of the Möll basin, between the Feldsee and the Wurten reservoir

operatingGermany

Rönkhausen

Glinge

Generating capacity140 MW
Stored energy
0.74 GWh
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1969
Project notes

Twin basins above the Lenne valley at Finnentrop, on the little Glinge stream

operatingGermany

Waldeck I

Eder

Generating capacity140 MW
Stored energy
0.48 GWh
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1933
Project notes

The 1930s pioneer above the Edersee, gutted and rebuilt with modern sets in 2010

operatingItaly

Gargnano (San Giacomo)

Closed-loop / lake system

Generating capacity137 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1959
Project notes

Pumps between Lake Valvestino and Lake Garda from a shoreline hall on the west bank

operatingSpain

Torrejón

Tajo

Generating capacity132 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
Not yet / unknown
Project notes

Mixed plant pumping between the twin Torrejón pools on the Tajo and the Tiétar

operatingPortugal

Vilarinho das Furnas

Cávado

Generating capacity125 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1972
Project notes

Draws down the Homem valley reservoir — famous for the drowned village it covers — and pumps back from Salamonde

operatingSpain

Tanes

Nalón

Generating capacity123 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
Not yet / unknown
Project notes

Reversible sets between the Tanes and Rioseco reservoirs on the upper Nalón in Asturias

operatingSwitzerland

Etzelwerk

Closed-loop / lake system

Generating capacity121 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
473 m
Commissioned
1937
Project notes

SBB's 16.7 Hz railway plant between the Sihlsee and Lake Zurich at Altendorf

operatingAustria

Malta Oberstufe

Malta

Generating capacity120 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
Not yet / unknown
Project notes

Two sets at Galgenbichl lift Malta water up to Kölnbrein; rebuilt for variable-speed operation 2019–2024

operatingGermany

Geesthacht

Elbe

Generating capacity120 MW
Stored energy
0.6 GWh
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1958
Project notes

Vattenfall's circular basin on the Geest bluff, pumping straight out of the tidal Elbe

operatingItaly

Capriati

Volturno

Generating capacity113 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1963
Project notes

Pumps between Lake Matese, high on the massif, and the Volturno valley

operatingGermany

Häusern

Schwarza

Generating capacity100 MW
Stored energy
0.46 GWh
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1931
Project notes

Top stage of the Schluchsee cascade, working the Black Forest's Schluchsee against the Schwarza basin

operatingSlovakia

Ružín

Hornád

Generating capacity60 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
52.7 m
Commissioned
1973
Project notes

Slovakia's first reversible-turbine plant, between the Ružín and Ružín II pools of the Hornád above Košice

operatingCzechia

Štěchovice II

Vltava

Generating capacity45 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
219.5 m
Commissioned
1947
Project notes

Upper basin on Homole hill above the Vltava cascade; rebuilt with a single 45 MW reversible set in 1996

operatingSlovakia

Dobšiná

Closed-loop / lake system

Generating capacity24 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1953
Project notes

Transfers Hnilec water from Palcmanská Maša across the ridge into the Slaná basin — a 1953 inter-basin plant

operatingSlovakia

Mikšová II

Váh

Generating capacity2.6 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1963
Project notes

The 1963 experimental unit where the reversible turbines for Ružín and Liptovská Mara were proven

operatingCzechia

Černé jezero

Úhlava

Generating capacity1.9 MW
Stored energy
Not published
Hydraulic head
Not published
Commissioned
1930
Project notes

The first pumped-storage plant in Czechia (1930), between the glacial Černé jezero and a small basin on the Úhlava

major river · clickable tributary / branch · clickable selected downstream path final outlet latest official Q European model comparison operating nuclear plant pumped-storage hydro core reservoir re-meandering floodplain reconnection barrier removal protected, not restoredEurope · 13 Aug 2026
Reading Europe’s riversLoading daily discharge and river geometry…