Terna Energy to start construction of 680 MW pumped hydro storage project in October

Greek renewable power producer and energy developer Terna Energy has reached the final investment decision (FID) for the planned pumped hydro storage project that will be located in the northwestern part of Aetolia-Acarnania in Greece. The project is scheduled for construction in October with target commissioning in 2025. 

The pumped hydro storage project has a capacity of 680 MW in turbine mode and 730 MW in pumping mode. The pump system will be installed underground at the existing reservoir of the Amari river dam and will have three constant speed turbine pumps of 31 MW each and twelve variable speed pumps of 3.2 MW each. The project represents EUR500 million (US$606.80 million). 

The upper reservoirs Agios Georgios and Pyrgos and common lower reservoir lake Kastraki will be used by the plant. The equipment for the project will be installed in two separate powerhouses on the northeastern bank. Pyrgos reservoir is predicted to be 285 meters high from the lower reservoir and Agios Georgios is about 238 meters higher than the Kastraki lake.

The excess energy produced from wind, solar, and thermal power plants will be used in the project.  The section in Agios Georgios reservoir will have four units with 460 MW in total in turbine mode and 496 MW in pumping mode while the Pyrgos reservoir will have capacities of 220 MW and 234 MW. The annual output is seen at 816 GWh.