Pumped storage hydropower (PSH), the world’s largest, most-proven form of energy storage, is experiencing a resurgence around the globe. As of 2024, approximately 214 gigawatts (GW) of PSH projects are in various stages of development worldwide.

While pumped storage is expanding globally, U.S. construction has stalled for decades. The last major facility—Bath County Pumped Storage Station in Virginia—broke ground in 1977 and was completed in 1985 at a cost of $1.6 billion.

Over the past decade, U.S. pumped storage capacity has grown by 1.4 GW, with 97% of that coming from upgrades to existing plants rather than new projects. As a result, the U.S. has missed out on the benefits of this proven energy storage technology.

Rye Development is helping change that. A partnership of EDF, Inc. and Climate Adaptive Infrastructure, Rye is leading a new generation of pumped storage in the U.S. and helping create a more reliable energy grid. In October 2024, Rye submitted a draft license application to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), marking a significant milestone for the Lewis Ridge Pumped Storage Project.

This 287 MW facility sited on former mining lands in Bell County, Kentucky, was selected by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to receive $81 million to advance its progress. Designed to store electricity for up to eight hours and power about 67,000 homes, the Lewis Ridge Project is more than just an energy storage facility—it’s a transformative opportunity for southeastern Kentucky. By repurposing former mine land into a long-lasting energy resource, the project will drive economic growth and create approximately 1,500 construction jobs.

In this POWERHOUSE Q&A with Rye Development, learn more about the Lewis Ridge Pumped Storage Project’s origins and the promise it holds for future achievements.

An aerial view of The Lewis Ridge Pumped Storage Project. The Lewis Ridge project revitalizes former mine lines into an energy storage facility. (Courtesy Rye Development)

POWERHOUSE: Could you please discuss how this site was selected?

Rye Development: The Lewis Ridge Pumped Storage Project is a proposed pumped storage hydropower project in Bell County, Kentucky, and a vital component in strengthening our national grid. Located on private land formerly used for mining, the project represents a new era of jobs and economic growth for Southeastern Kentucky. It builds upon the region’s energy-producing legacy and skilled workforce to develop critical infrastructure that will power the nation for generations to come.

The project site has all the criteria needed for a successful pumped storage solution. This includes topography and elevation, access to transmission lines, water availability, an entrepreneurial landowner, a strong local workforce, and community support. Plus, as a former mine land, the site already has roads.

POWERHOUSE: Are there unique technical features associated with this facility?

Rye Development: Rye is excited to help demonstrate the potential of former mine lands to be transformed into a clean energy resource. As such, the Lewis Ridge Pumped Storage Project will be the first pumped storage hydropower project of its kind. Once operational, the 287-megawatt, pumped storage facility will have the capacity to store electricity for up to eight hours and generate enough electricity to power about 67,000 homes.

Repurposing mine lands highlights a forward-thinking approach that merges economic, environmental and energy goals. Once built, the Lewis Ridge project will demonstrate how to breathe new life into former mining sites with proven technology. Given the vast number of former mine sites in Kentucky and other states, this project could provide a template for more pumped storage hydropower projects — creating a new, long-term economic engine for the region and helping protect against regional blackouts and brownouts.

Rendering of the proposed Lewis Ridge Pumped Storage Project in Bell County, Kentucky. (Courtesy Rye Development)

POWERHOUSE: Given the 1,500 construction jobs and millions of tax revenue dollars coming to Kentucky, what has been the response in Bell County to the proposed facility?

Rye Development: We’ve had a great reception in Bell County, and we have great partners who are helping us move this project forward, including Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR), a nonpartisan organization dedicated to reversing population loss and driving prosperity in the Kentucky Appalachian region. The Lewis Ridge project was lauded by Governor Beshear when it was selected for an $81 million grant from U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations.

Rye Development CEO, Paul Jacob, at a press conference with Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear. The Lewis Ridge project builds on the region’s energy producing history while creating 1,500 family – wage jobs. (Courtesy Governor Andy Beshear)

POWERHOUSE: Can you tell us about the community benefits commitments?

Rye Development: The Lewis Ridge project is a $1.3 billion investment that will result in decades of positive economic benefits for Eastern Kentucky. Built to last more than a century, the Lewis Ridge project will be a long-term asset benefiting communities for generations. We anticipate the project will create approximately 1,500 family-wage jobs during the four- to five-year construction period, and approximately two dozen long-term maintenance and operational jobs. It will also provide increased revenue for local businesses and government.

Rye is committed to hiring and training a local workforce and offering apprenticeship opportunities that will allow people to earn a competitive wage while they learn a trade. Our partnership with SOAR is critical as we work to build a local workforce and offer training opportunities.

POWERHOUSE: How has DOE support facilitated the development of this project?

Rye Development: In Spring 2024, Rye was selected by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations to receive $81 million for the Lewis Ridge Pumped Storage Project. It was one of five projects to receive funding to demonstrate the technical and economic viability of deploying clean energy on current and former mine land.

POWERHOUSE: Have you encountered any unexpected issues/lessons?

Rye Development: We are advancing the project on schedule, meeting critical milestones. We submitted a Draft License Application to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) last fall. The grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, made available through the Bipartisan Inflation Reduction Act, has initially helped Rye accelerate the completion of studies and engineering needed to submit our Final License application to FERC.

POWERHOUSE: Is the projected timeline progressing on track?

Rye Development: We anticipate filing our Final License Application in Spring of 2025, lining us up to be able to begin construction in 2027, and completing construction in 2031.

To learn more about the project and stay up-to-date on its progress, people can visit our site, where they can sign up for our newsletter.

POWERHOUSE: What advice can you offer others who are interested in developing pumped storage hydro?

Rye Development: We can’t overemphasize the importance of investing time—early and frequently—meeting with community leaders, lawmakers, residents, employers, and tribal nations. Building trust and fostering open communication are essential for aligning the project’s goals with community priorities. Additionally, take the time to educate the community about the long-term benefits of pumped storage hydro, such as grid reliability, economic development and job opportunities, and resilience to climate change. Engaging with multiple stakeholders and tribal nations helps build awareness and community support, which is critical to the success of any large-scale infrastructure project.

POWERHOUSE: What is Rye’s outlook on the prospects for pumped storage hydro in the U.S. going forward?

Rye Development: There is an urgent need for more energy storage in the United States, and we’ll need all solutions to solve the storage deficit we’re facing. We’re very optimistic that Rye and others will help solve that problem by bringing a new generation of pumped storage to the U.S. It’s already the backbone of our energy system and will continue to help safeguard the grid against blackouts while we add more renewable energy to the grid, providing significant economic benefits to local communities and ratepayers.