The Paris Pledge

Under embargo until 00:00 9 September 2025

READ THE PARIS PLEDGE

Show your support for the Paris Pledge HERE.

Background

Europe faces an urgent and growing need for long-duration electricity storage to secure a reliable, affordable and sustainable energy future. As the continent transitions towards a renewable-dominated power system, the ability to store and dispatch electricity over long periods will be critical to balance variable generation from wind and solar, ensure grid stability and resilience, and reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels. Pumped storage hydropower (PSH) is the most important, scalable and cost-effective long-duration electricity storage solution available today, providing over 90% of electricity storage volume globally.

Encouragingly, the EU has a strong pipeline of new PSH projects currently under development, totalling over 32 GW, with an additional 3 GW in Switzerland, Norway and Türkiye. These projects combined would provide storage capacity in excess of 700 GWh, equivalent to more than 10 hours of consumption of two major EU economies (such as Italy and Spain) combined.

This Pledge has been prepared through extensive consultation work carried out by IHA, Eurelectric and their European members active in the hydropower sector. The two associations, and all the entities that have undersigned this document, recognise the urgent need to expand long-duration electricity storage capacity, to secure a safe and reliable electrification process of the European economies and a just energy transition. This Pledge presents a series of actions that the hydropower sector and policy-makers collectively need to undertake in order to solve the existing electricity storage and infrastructural gaps and support the rapidly evolving electric power systems.

Show your support for the Paris Pledge HERE.

The Paris Pledge will be launched at the International Forum on Pumped Storage in Paris on 9 September 2025. Register here for the Forum.

If you have any questions or comments, please email matteo.bianciotto@hydropower.org

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PLEASE DO NOT PUBLISH the Paris Pledge on any social media until the 9 September 2025. Dedicated assets to announce your support will be provided in due course.