Date & time: 16:00–16:45

Room: Australian Pavilion

Lead organiser: Australian Government

Host: Australian Pavilion

Format: Fireside Chat

Event summary:

This session features a fireside chat between Malcolm Turnbull and Anna Freeman (Global Coordinator, Electrify Now) titled Why pumped storage, why now? The conversation will examine the critical role of pumped storage hydropower in providing reliable, mass-scale long-duration energy storage as power systems rapidly electrify and integrate variable renewables. Drawing on practical lessons from Australia's Snowy 2.0 project, the discussion will address why this century-old technology is being rediscovered, how to overcome project cost and delivery challenges, and the essential policy frameworks needed to properly value grid resilience, stability, and long-term energy security.