Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) has begun main construction of the Pocheon pumped-storage power plant in Dopyeong-ri, Idong-myeon, Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, it is reported. The total project cost is reported at KRW1.7508 trillion, with an installed capacity of 350MW (megawatts) x 2 units, for a total of 700MW. Construction of a pumped-storage plant is typically a multi-year civil and mechanical works project running from site preparation through completion, and this groundbreaking is reported to mark the first stage — tree-clearing and site preparation.
It is reported that the Pocheon plant will be built on a site of 2,144,337 square meters, with construction carried out by a consortium of three companies including Hyundai Engineering & Construction. Main construction began with tree-clearing work on August 3, to be followed in stages by the construction of an access road to the upper reservoir, excavation of the headrace tunnel, excavation of the underground powerhouse, and construction of the lower dam, it is reported. The plant is reported to employ variable-speed pumped-storage technology — a method that adjusts generator rotation speed to improve output responsiveness and strengthen grid frequency regulation — though the name of specific suppliers for turbines, generators or other core equipment are remain as unconfirmed.