ETIP HYDROPOWER participated as BRONZE Partner at the International Forum on Pumped Storage Hydropower, held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. This high-level global event marked the culmination of a year-long campaign from the International Hydropower Association (IHA) to accelerate action on pumped storage hydropower: the “unsung hero” of the energy transition.

At the Forum, ETIP HYDROPOWER, together with Di-Hydro and STOR-HY, represented the ETIP HYDROPOWER Cluster on the exhibition hall, gathering together some of the most ambitious European projects dedicated to advancing hydropower technology and energy storage solutions. The cluster showcased the latest EU Horizon Europe projects, including: iAMP-Hydro, D-Hydroflex, SHERPA, HYDRO4U, ReHydro, RevHydro, XFLEX-HYDRO, HYPOSO, Store2Hydro, and H-HOPE. Together, these projects embody Europe’s leadership in developing sustainable, flexible, and environmentally responsible hydropower systems.

The Forum took place at a critical moment for global climate action. At COP29, 58 nations committed to the Global Energy Storage and Grids Pledge, setting the ambitious target of deploying 1,500 GW of energy storage, doubling grid investments, and expanding 25 million km of new grid infrastructure by 2030. Hydropower—and particularly pumped storage, which already accounts for around 90% of global long-duration energy storage—will play a decisive role in making these targets a reality.

Despite its proven value and relatively small environmental footprint, pumped storage remains largely unknown to the public. The IFPSH gathered Heads of State, Ministers, CEOs, financial institutions, intergovernmental organisations, and industry leaders to raise awareness and agree on the policies and practices needed to unlock new development.