Building a pumped hydroelectric storage facility typically takes around 5 to 6 years for the construction phase alone. However, the overall timeline for development is often longer due to regulatory and licensing requirements. For instance, obtaining a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license in the United States can take a minimum of 5 years and may extend further depending on environmental and regulatory considerations.
When considering the entire life cycle from planning through to commissioning, this process can sometimes extend up to 10 years or more. Efforts are underway, such as the U.S. Department of Energy’s FAST prize initiative, aiming to reduce commissioning times from the industry average of around 10 years to less than 5 years by encouraging technical innovations.
In summary:
- Construction time: Approximately 5 to 6 years.
- Regulatory and licensing process (FERC license): Minimum 5 years, potentially longer.
- Total project development and commissioning: Up to 10 years, though new technical advancements seek to shorten this timeframe.
Therefore, a typical pumped hydroelectric storage project could take roughly 10 years from start to finish but might vary depending on project specifics, regulatory environment, and innovation application.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-long-does-it-typically-take-to-build-a-pumped-hydroelectric-storage-facility/
