Principles have been recognised by governments and international agencies to accelerate the clean energy transition using pumped storage hydropower.

These underline the critical role of pumped storage for energy security, flexibility, resilience, affordability, climate adaptation and economic growth.

Calls are made for dedicated long-duration energy storage targets, government engagement and public-private partnerships to unlock investment and enable a climate-resilient future.

Alliance Participants commit to sustainability, innovation and workforce development, ensuring projects align with international good practice and community benefit.

Paris, September 8, 2025 – Today, the Global Alliance for Pumped Storage (GAPS), established at COP29 in Baku, announces the adoption of the GAPS Principles. This landmark framework was formally recognised by governments and international agencies at the International Forum on Pumped Storage in Paris. The Principles reaffirm the essential role of pumped storage hydropower in building a sustainable, flexible and secure energy system for a climate resilient future.

Pumped storage, or ‘water batteries’, represent more than 90% of the world’s electricity storage capacity, absorbing excess clean power from solar and wind and strengthening grid resilience. These Principles have been set to outline a clear pathway for governments to enhance power system flexibility, decarbonise markets, support economic growth and promote international cooperation and innovation in sustainable energy storage.

The GAPS Governing Principles include:‍

• Reaffirm pumped storage as essential for clean, secure and reliable energy.
• Highlight its role in strengthening grid flexibility and resilience.
• Recognise pumped storage as key to affordable clean energy.
• Emphasise its dual contribution to climate mitigation and adaptation.
• Support investments as drivers of economic growth and job creation.
• Promote GAPS as a platform for good practice, innovation and leadership.
• Advocate for long-duration energy storage targets.
• Stress the need for government support and public–private partnerships.
• Affirm the importance of workforce development and skills transfer.
• Commit to sustainability, aligning projects with international best practice.

By endorsing these principles, GAPS participants have committed to accelerating the energy transition and ensuring a sustainable, climate resilient future for all.

Malcolm Turnbull, Chair of the Global Alliance for Pumped Storage and former President of Australia, said: “I am delighted to endorse these Principles. They are a clear signal of the Alliance’s commitment to supporting innovative policies and regulations for pumped storage, while also encouraging investment. It is governments who must act to set the pathway for successful adoption of this technology. Only with strong policy and leadership can we unlock pumped storage at the scale needed for a safer, cleaner and more resilient energy future.

“By establishing certainty and direction, governments will ensure communities benefit from reliable electricity, energy security, good jobs and improved climate resilience, while enabling the innovation and sustainability that must sit at the heart of global energy policy.”

Caio Monteiro Leocadio, Deputy Superintendent of Power Generation, Empresa de Pesquisa Energética, added: “Brazil, through the Empresa de Pesquisa Energética (Energy Research Office), supports the GAPS Principles, which reaffirm pumped storage as a key technology for energy security, flexibility, resilience and sustainability. In line with this vision, Brazil published a national Roadmap for pumped storage hydropower, prioritising sustainable siting, regulatory adaptation, environmental licensing, market design improves and the development of a pilot project. This effort seeks to unlock the full potential of long-duration storage, enabling pumped storage to play its role to deliver peak capacity, system flexibility and reliability in supporting renewables integration and a reliable, affordable clean energy transition.”

Victor Kitange, Economic Adviser, Energy and Natural Resources at the Commonwealth Secretariat, commented: “The GAPS Principles mark an important step in recognising the indispensable role of pumped storage hydropower in the global clean energy transition. For Commonwealth countries, where energy security, climate resilience and inclusive economic growth are critical priorities, these Principles provide a clear framework for action. The Commonwealth Secretariat strongly supports this collective effort to build resilient energy systems that deliver for both people and planet.”