South america pumped hydropower storage project

The two-stage study identifies 179 possible sites across 11 countries and lays out plans for a pilot project in Pisagua, Tarapacá, Chile, providing 640MW with 12 hours of storage. In its 2025 World Hydropower Outlook, the IHA outlined some of the challenges facing regional development, such as maintaining grid stability as renewable energy deployment accelerates. Deep in the heart of Argentina, the Río Grande pumped-storage hydro power plant stands as the largest facility of its kind in South America. For nearly four decades, this powerhouse has played a crucial role in stabilizing Argentina’s electricity supply — especially during peak demand periods. Hydropower is vital for South America’s energy mix, and thanks to natural resources such as the Andes mountains.