The world’s highest rated-head pumped storage power station and China’s largest single-unit capacity pumped storage project has officially entered full commercial operation.
On June 25, 2026, following the successful completion of a 15-day assessment trial operation of the final generating unit, the Zhejiang Tiantai Pumped Storage Power Station officially achieved full commissioning and started commercial power generation.
With a total installed capacity of 1.7 GW, the project has set multiple records in the pumped storage industry. It is now recognized as the pumped storage power station with the highest rated head in the world, while also featuring the largest single-unit capacity pumped storage units in China.
During the construction and commissioning process, NSD Electric (Nengshida Electric) provided and commissioned the MGC6000 series pumped storage turbine governor system, delivering critical support for the safe, stable, and reliable operation of the generating units.
Zhejiang Tiantai Pumped Storage Power Station
Located in Tiantai County, Taizhou City, Zhejiang Province, the Tiantai Pumped Storage Power Station was developed and invested by China Three Gorges Corporation.
The power station features:
- Rated head: 724 meters
- Total installed capacity: 1,700 MW
- Number of units: 4 reversible pump-turbine generator units
- Single-unit capacity: 425 MW
The project’s single-unit capacity ranks first among pumped storage units currently operating in China.
In addition, the station includes a 483-meter-long inclined water conveyance shaft, setting another construction milestone among similar projects in China.
With its extremely high operating head and large-capacity reversible pump-turbine units, the project represents a major advancement in pumped storage technology and renewable energy infrastructure development.
Advanced Governor System for Complex Pumped Storage Operation
Pumped storage power stations operate under highly complex conditions, including:
- Frequent switching between pumping and generating modes
- Rapid changes in operating conditions
- High requirements for control accuracy and system stability
These characteristics create demanding requirements for the turbine governor system, which plays a key role in regulating unit speed, power output, and operational stability.
For the Tiantai project, NSD Electric supplied the MGC6000 series pumped storage turbine governor system, featuring:
- Cross full-redundant architecture design
- Independent power supply configuration
- Enhanced system reliability and fault tolerance
- Stable control performance under complex operating conditions
The advanced design significantly improves operational safety and reduces risks caused by control system failures.
Supporting Independent Innovation in Key Hydropower Technologies
For the Tiantai Pumped Storage Power Station project, NSD Electric was responsible for the design and supply of key governor system equipment.
The solution was developed around the principles of:
- Independent innovation
- Domestic technology development
- High reliability engineering
Through cooperation with multiple domestic technology partners, NSD Electric achieved improvements in key component selection, system integration, and overall equipment reliability.
The successful application of the MGC6000 series governor system provides valuable engineering experience for the continued development of domestically developed control technologies in China’s pumped storage sector.
Enabling the Future of Renewable Energy Storage
As renewable energy continues to expand, pumped storage plays an increasingly important role in power grid stability, peak regulation, and renewable energy integration.
Projects like the Zhejiang Tiantai Pumped Storage Power Station demonstrate the importance of advanced control systems in supporting large-scale energy infrastructure.
With continuous innovation in turbine governor systems and automation technologies, NSD Electric remains committed to providing reliable control solutions for hydropower and pumped storage projects worldwide.
