Read the Paris Pledge.

Paris, 9 September 2025: Today, the International Hydropower Association (IHA), together with Eurelectric, launched the Paris Pledge – a collective call to action developed in close collaboration with 11 senior representatives from across the European utilities and hydropower value chain. The Pledge commits the sector to unlocking the potential of pumped storage hydropower (PSH) and urges EU and national policymakers to create the right conditions for long-duration storage to meet Europe’s clean energy goals.

Over 50 utilities, hydropower suppliers and energy focused associations have already signed the Paris Pledge committing to support its content and messages.

Europe’s energy system is in the midst of a historic transformation. By 2050, around 86% of generation capacity will come from variable renewable sources such as wind and solar. To integrate this clean power effectively, Europe urgently needs long-duration electricity storage to balance supply and demand, stabilise markets, and reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels.

Pumped storage hydropower provides a proven, scalable, and cost-effective solution. By storing surplus renewable energy and releasing it when demand is high, PSH ensures flexibility, resilience, and reliability in Europe’s electricity system.

That is why the International Hydropower Association has partnered with Eurelectric to deliver the Paris Pledge, demonstrating a united front from the European hydropower sector in scaling up PSH capacity.

“The Paris Pledge unites the sustainable hydropower industry around one clear objective: to provide the storage backbone for a renewable-powered Europe. By scaling up pumped storage, we can accelerate the energy transition, create jobs, and deliver on Europe’s climate and security goals.” – Malcolm Turnbull, President, International Hydropower Association

With signatories representing the full European hydropower value chain, the Paris Pledge outlines the critical steps that industry and policymakers must take to close storage and infrastructure gaps and support the rapid transformation of Europe’s power systems.

“As we scale up wind and solar at unprecedented speed, we must invest in long-duration storage solutions that keep the system reliable, affordable, and resilient. Pumped storage hydropower is indispensable here. The Paris Pledge is a timely and necessary call to action – and Eurelectric is proud to support it.” – Kristian Ruby, Secretary General, Eurelectric.

To unlock the almost 35 GW pipeline of PSH projects across the EU, the Paris Pledge calls for urgent regulatory support at both EU and national level, including:

European Union Level:

1. Propose a dedicated initiative to boost the roll-out of electricity storage.

2. Ensure that legislative proposals address long-duration electricity storage separately from short-duration electricity storage and other energy storage solutions.

3. Promote the adoption of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) and the Market Design Reform.  

Member States Level:

4. Implement the recent European energy focused directives and reforms.

5. Remunerate the provision of system services and security of supply for all time frames, and where revenue stabilisation mechanisms are introduced ensure that PSH can participate.

6. Eliminate double grid fees on electricity storage technologies to enhance the economic viability.

7. Introduce fast-streamed permitting processes for PSH development.

The time to act is now. With strong political commitment, Europe can double its pumped storage hydropower capacity in the next 25 years, strengthen its energy security, and deliver the European Green Deal.

The in-person signatories represent the following companies: EDP, EDF, Iberdrola, Andritz, Enel, Statkraft, Voith, Hydrogrid, Verbund AG, Landsvirkjun and GE Vernova.

Testimonials from organisations:

ABB S.p.A.: “Pumped Storage Hydropower is poised to play a pivotal role in accelerating the transition to net-zero and strengthening the resilience of energy systems worldwide. At ABB we are committed to advancing this transformation. Through the dedication of our people, the innovation of our technologies, and the robustness of our infrastructure, we stand ready to support and shape the future of sustainable energy.”

ASSOCIATION OF TURKISH ELECTRICITY INDUSTRY: “TESAB is member of Eurelectric since 2005. TESAB, like Eurelectric, has established working groups in Turkiye, one of which is the hydro working group. Under Hydro WG leadership, TESAB published a book on pumped storage hydropower plants three years ago. We recognize the importance of hydropower and pumped storage hydropower plants in the energy transition process and support this process.”

AXPO: “Pumped storage power plants can store electricity at times when electrical energy is abundantly available.”

Bechtel: “Bechtel are addressing these problems through the De-Risking Pumped Storage working group, created to bring relevant parties together and develop an industry guidance note. The working group is comprised of industry veterans and new entrants, with experience in multiple global markets - representing utilities, developers, engineers, constructors, OEMs, lawyers, academics, financiers, and policy advisors. This provides a broad industry perspective to enable the working group to tackle the challenges with multiple perspectives in mind.”

Carpi Tech: “Any individual of organization with a conscious should support the pledge.”

CEZ, a.s.: “We consider it important to include this type of energy source in our portfolio in the future as well.”

EASE: “Europe urgently needs long-duration energy storage to ensure a reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy system. Pumped hydro storage is a scalable and cost-effective option - its expansion must become a priority for policymakers.”

Elettricità Futura: “Elettricità Futura is the leading Association of the Italian electric power industrial supply chain, representing more than 500 companies active in the production, distribution, trading of electricity and industry services, accounting for more than 70% of the national electricity market. Its mission is to promote the development of the Italian electric sector in line with the energy transition, strengthening security, sustainability, independence, and competitiveness. Hydropower is a national excellence, covering more than 35% of renewable generation. Upgrading and enhancing the national hydropower and pumped-storage fleet is essential to build resilience, strengthen industrial competitiveness, and achieve the decarbonisation goals.”

Energy Storage Systems Association BVES e. V.: “Pumped storage accounts for by far the largest share of global electricity storage capacity. Fast, flexible, highly efficient, versatile, powerful, durable, and sustainable – pumped storage systems are a true multi-talent when it comes to ensuring system stability and security of supply. As a reliable partner to renewable energy sources, pumped storage paves the way for a stable and green energy future. This applies both to existing plants and to new projects, which hold significant potential. Policymakers are called upon to create a suitable regulatory framework for energy storage, including pumped storage, to make full use of its strengths as the backbone of an increasingly decarbonized energy system.”

ETIP HYDROPOWER: “In his Research and Innovation Agenda as well as in the Strategic Industry Roadmap, ETIP HYDROPOWER has identified pumped storage hydropower as a vital contribution to the safe energy transition in Europe.”

Finnish Energy: “Pumped storage hydropower represents a proven and sustainable solution to address the growing need for flexibility in the energy system. Finnish Energy expresses its support for Paris Pledge to promote the development and deployment of pumped storage hydropower across the Europe.”

Fortum: “Fortum supports the objectives of the Paris Pledge as we see pumped hydro storage playing a crucial role in the electrification efforts in the Nordics and our transition to a fossil-free energy system.”

France Hydro Electricité: “France Hydro Electricité is the French small hydro association. It advocates for small hydro pumped storage with a real potential on small reservoir and competitive costs due to the use of industrial equipment. Easy to permit and to build small PSH is a complement to the power system huge need of LDES. Moreover, small PSH provides local flexibility services especially on distribution grid.”

Gruner Stucky Ltd: “Europe will not reach its climate neutrality goals without large-scale energy storage. Gruner supports this pledge as a necessary measure to deliver a stable, decarbonised energy system.”

HSE Group: “HSE group is the largest Slovenian producer of electricity from renewable sources. Pumped hydro storage is an important part of our generation portfolio and we have ambitious plans going forward, as we are currently developing a new large, pumped hydro project. Regulatory barriers and public acceptance are identified as key areas of concern, so we welcome the policy recommendations of the Paris Pledge.”

illwerke vkw AG: “illwerke vkw is operator of 7 pumpstorage hydropowerplants and has another 1,000 MW PSH project.”

Kemijoki Oy: “Europe needs more flexible electricity generation and pumped-storage hydro is the best large-scale solution.”

Multiconsult: “We commit to taking our role in making pumped storage happening, by building the right expertise, developing suitable project execution models and enabling the complex projects.”

National Electricity Company EAD: “The National Electricity Company EAD of Bulgaria is proud to support the Paris Pledge on Pumped Storage Hydropower. As the operator of Bulgaria’s largest hydropower and long-duration storage assets, NEK is committed to enabling a secure, flexible, and decarbonised energy system in Southeast Europe. Through our strategic portfolio of new pumped-storage projects, we are helping to integrate renewables at scale, strengthen system resilience, and deliver on national and European climate goals. Supporting the Paris Pledge reflects our dedication to international cooperation and advancing proven, sustainable solutions for the energy transition.”

Norsk Hydro: “The Pledge describes very well the important role of pumped storage hydro in the current and future European energy system, as well as the policies and commitments from the industry needed to realise the potential.”

Patscheider & Partner Engineers Ltd: “We desperately need pump storage.”

Plan Recruit Ltd: “We're here to support the global efforts for Renewable Energy and Long Duration Energy Storage. Without Energy Storage, renewable energy is unable to provide efficency and low cost solutions to the consumer.”

PPC: “At PPC, we are transforming Southeastern Europe’s energy landscape through strategic investments in renewables, storage, and digital infrastructure. We support the Paris Pledge because pumped-storage hydropower is essential to building resilient, net-zero electricity systems. As we repurpose legacy assets and scale clean energy, long-duration storage will play a critical role in ensuring grid stability, energy security, and a just transition for our region.”— Alexios Paizis, deputy CEO of PPC for conventional generation activities.”

Preformed Windings Ltd: “Preformed Windings proudly pledges our commitment to advancing long-duration electricity storage and supporting the global energy transition. We stand with the Paris Pledge in recognising the critical role of pumped storage hydropower in delivering a secure, sustainable, and resilient power system for Europe and beyond. Through innovation, collaboration, and engineering excellence, we pledge to contribute to the growth of pumped storage infrastructure and help build a cleaner energy future.”

Renewables Norway: “Renewables Norway organises the largest power producers in Norway, where hydropower constitutes 88% of the power production. We support the Paris Pledge On Pumped Storage Hydropower, because we are convinced that pumped hydro will be a key technology in balancing the future European low emission power system. Our experience from Norway is that hydropower is an enabler for other renewables, and ensures secture, sustainable and affordable energy.”

Ricerca sul Sistema Energetico - RSE S.p.A.: “Pumped-storage hydropower plays a strategic role in the energy transition by providing reliable and green energy storage and contributing to the stability of the electricity grid.”

RWE AG: “Pumped storage is a key part of the energy transition. As one of the biggest operators of pumped storage in Europe, RWE needs a proper regulatory framework. That's what this initiative is all about.”

Schluchseewerk AG: “There is a huge potential for additional storage capacity from pumped storage hydropower in Germany and all over Europe but we must have long term stable market conditions enabling investments.”

SSE Renewables: “Political will is absolutely critical to supporting pumped storage development, and the Paris Pledge clearly highlights the benefits and next steps required by governments to both strengthen their country's energy security and lower costs for consumers.”

SuperGrid Institute: “Pumped storage is critical for the energy transition — it’s time to recognise its value and build the regulatory framework it deserves”

TERNA ENERGY S.A: “It is a strong support of long duration electricity storage.”

VDMA Power Systems: “European PSH manufacturers are global technology leaders.”

VGBE energy e.V.: “vgbe energy e.V. as the international technical association of power plant and energy asset operators fully underlines the fact that while Europe is advancing toward a decarbonised future, long-duration electricity storage has become a critical pillar for grid stability, energy security, and industrial decarbonisation. And that Pumped storage hydropower (PSH) is currently the most scalable and cost-effective long-duration storage solution available. We support any activity to ensure the long-term contribution of PSH in the future energy system.”

Voith Hydro Holding GmbH & Co KG: “We power the Hydro Industry with renewable solutions”

ZABALA INNOVATION: “By endorsing this pledge, ZABALA Innovation wants to demonstrate its engagement in the broader energy transition ecosystem and its support towards research and innovation policy efforts. A central element of the Paris Pledge is the empowerment of the workforce, which aligns directly with the company’s mission. By supporting renewable technologies, Zabala also acts as a driver of skills, capacity building, and human capital development, driving innovation and strengthening expertise across Europe’s clean energy transition.”