{"id":137,"date":"2026-04-06T19:59:32","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T19:59:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/has-pshp.com\/?page_id=137"},"modified":"2026-04-07T06:56:43","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T06:56:43","slug":"frequently-asked-questions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/has-pshp.com\/sq\/about-the-project\/frequently-asked-questions\/","title":{"rendered":"Pyetje t\u00eb shpeshta"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
What is pumped storage hydropower and how does it work?<\/summary>\n

Pumped storage hydropower is essentially a giant, water-based battery. It involves two water reservoirs located at different elevations. When electricity is abundant and cheap (e.g., during peak solar generation hours), the facility uses the excess grid power to pump water from the lower reservoir to the upper reservoir. When electricity demand is high, the water is released back down through a turbine to generate electricity, flowing back into the lower reservoir.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

How does PSH synergize with large-scale solar and wind projects?<\/summary>\n

Intermittent renewables like solar generate power when the sun shines, which doesn’t always align with peak energy demand (often in the evening). A PSH facility can absorb the excess generation from large solar parks\u2014preventing curtailment\u2014and dispatch that stored energy later. This firming of renewable output is critical for stabilizing regional grids that are integrating hundreds of megawatts of new solar and wind capacity.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

What is the difference between open-loop and closed-loop PSH?<\/summary>\n

Open-loop systems<\/strong> are continuously connected to a naturally flowing water feature, such as a river or lake, for at least one of their reservoirs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Closed-loop systems<\/strong> are completely separated from naturally flowing water bodies after their initial filling. They often face fewer environmental and regulatory hurdles because they have a minimal impact on aquatic ecosystems and river hydrology.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

What is the typical efficiency and lifespan of a PSH plant?<\/summary>\n

Modern PSH plants operate with a round-trip efficiency of roughly 70% to 80%. This means for every 10 MWh of electricity used to pump water up, the plant will generate 7 to 8 MWh when the water is released. While the initial capital expenditure is high, the civil works (dams, tunnels) can last over 100 years, and the electromechanical equipment (pump-turbines) typically lasts 40 to 50 years before requiring major refurbishment.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

What scale of power can these facilities provide?<\/summary>\n

PSH is the only commercially proven technology for massive, long-duration energy storage. While lithium-ion batteries are excellent for short bursts (2-4 hours), utility-scale PSH plants are typically designed to provide hundreds of megawatts of power\u2014often in the 300 MW to 400 MW range or larger\u2014for 8 to 12 hours or more, effectively serving as bulk baseload replacement when needed.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

Beyond energy storage, what ancillary services does PSH provide to the grid?<\/summary>\n

PSH is highly valued by transmission system operators because of its heavy, spinning turbines. It provides critical ancillary services that battery storage struggles to replicate at scale, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • Inertia:<\/strong> Physical resistance to changes in grid frequency. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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    • Voltage Support: <\/strong>Absorbing or injecting reactive power to maintain grid stability.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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      • Black Start Capability: <\/strong>The ability to restart the grid independently following a total blackout.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n
        What are the key geological and topographical requirements?<\/summary>\n

        A successful PSH project requires specific topography: two suitable reservoir sites separated by a significant vertical drop (the “head”), while being as close together horizontally as possible to minimize the length and cost of the connecting tunnels (penstocks). Favorable geology is also required to ensure the structural integrity of the dams, underground powerhouses, and high-pressure tunnels.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

        How are revenues generated for a PSH facility?<\/summary>\n

        Revenues are typically generated through a combination of mechanisms:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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        • Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs):<\/strong> Structuring long-term off-take agreements, sometimes paired directly with a large renewable energy asset.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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          • Energy Arbitrage:<\/strong> Buying electricity when prices are low and selling when they are high.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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            • Capacity Markets:<\/strong> Getting paid for being available to generate power during peak demand periods.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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              • Ancillary Services:<\/strong> Contracts with grid operators for frequency regulation and spinning reserves.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

                <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                What are the primary challenges in developing a PSH project?<\/summary>\n

                The main hurdles are long development timelines and high upfront capital costs. Identifying the right site, conducting extensive geotechnical surveys, navigating environmental impact assessments, and securing complex permitting can take several years. Once permitted, the heavy civil engineering and construction phases typically take an additional 4 to 6 years.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

                What equipment is used to move the water?<\/summary>\n

                Most modern facilities use reversible pump-turbines<\/strong>. These are specialized machines that act as an electric motor and pump when moving water up to the upper reservoir, and then run in reverse\u2014acting as a turbine and generator\u2014when water flows back down. Some facilities use separate pumps and turbines, which can increase efficiency and transition speeds, but this requires a more expensive and complex powerhouse design.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

                How does a PSH project impact Kosovo\u2019s limited water resources?<\/summary>\n

                Kosovo faces more acute water scarcity than many of its Balkan neighbors, making hydrology a critical concern. While PSH primarily reuses<\/em> water by cycling it between two reservoirs, the initial filling requires a massive volume of water, which can temporarily strain local river basins. Long-term, the main water loss comes from surface evaporation. Developers often prioritize “closed-loop” systems in Kosovo to minimize continuous reliance on rivers and protect downstream agricultural and municipal water supplies.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

                What is the typical land footprint and impact on forests?<\/summary>\n

                A large-scale facility\u2014such as a ~400 MW project\u2014requires significant land for the upper and lower reservoirs, the powerhouse, and access roads. In Kosovo’s mountainous terrain, this often means flooding highland valleys and clearing forested areas. The environmental impact assessment must carefully weigh the loss of carbon sinks (trees) against the long-term carbon emissions saved by enabling a renewable energy grid.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

                Will local communities face relocation or loss of agricultural land?<\/summary>\n

                Yes, land expropriation is frequently the most sensitive social issue for large infrastructure in Kosovo. If a planned reservoir floods private property, agricultural fields, or settlements, families must be compensated or relocated. Because projects of this scale often require backing from international financial institutions (like the EBRD or World Bank), developers must adhere to strict international standards for involuntary resettlement, ensuring affected people’s livelihoods are restored or improved, not just compensated at baseline land value.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

                What are the short-term impacts on rural villages during construction?<\/summary>\n

                The construction phase for a major PSH plant takes 4 to 6 years and involves heavy civil engineering. Local villages will experience an influx of workers, which can strain local resources. Nuisances include heavy truck traffic on narrow rural roads, dust, and significant noise and vibration from the blasting and excavation required to build underground tunnels (penstocks) and powerhouses.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

                How does PSH affect local biodiversity and aquatic life?<\/summary>\n

                If the project is an “open-loop” system connected to a natural river (like the Drini i Bardh\u00eb or Ib\u00ebr basins), dams can block fish migration routes and alter natural flow regimes, degrading aquatic habitats. Even in closed-loop systems, the newly created reservoirs and the clearing of land can fragment habitats for terrestrial wildlife. Mitigation strategies, such as fish ladders or habitat offsets, are mandatory components of the environmental planning phase.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

                How does PSH contribute to the “Just Transition” and public health in Kosovo?<\/summary>\n

                Kosovo currently relies on the aging Kosovo A and B lignite power plants for the vast majority of its electricity. These plants are major sources of air pollution, causing severe respiratory health issues in Pristina and surrounding areas. By acting as a massive battery, PSH makes it possible to reliably integrate hundreds of megawatts of solar and wind power into the grid, directly enabling the phased decommissioning of these polluting coal plants and significantly improving national public health.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

                What are the dam safety and seismic risks for downstream communities?<\/summary>\n

                The Balkans are a seismically active region. Communities living downstream from the lower reservoir or directly below the upper reservoir often have valid concerns about dam failure during an earthquake. Modern PSH dams are built to withstand extreme seismic events, and strict regulations dictate the implementation of automated early warning systems, emergency action plans, and continuous structural monitoring to ensure community safety.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

                What happens if cultural or archaeological sites are discovered during excavation?<\/summary>\n

                Kosovo has a rich, multi-layered history, and major earth-moving projects carry a high risk of uncovering unmapped archaeological sites. Developers must implement strict “Chance Find Procedures.” If artifacts or ruins are discovered during the excavation of tunnels or reservoirs, construction in that immediate area must halt so that Kosovo\u2019s cultural heritage authorities can assess, document, and preserve the findings.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

                Will the project permanently alter the landscape and visual amenity of the region?<\/summary>\n

                Yes. While the powerhouse and connecting pipes are often built underground to reduce the footprint, the two large dams, the reservoirs themselves, and the new high-voltage transmission lines connecting the facility to the national grid will permanently alter the visual landscape. This can impact local ecotourism or hiking routes, requiring developers to carefully plan transmission corridors to minimize visual blight.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

                How can citizens and civil society participate in the planning process?<\/summary>\n

                Under Kosovo law and international environmental standards, developers must conduct a comprehensive Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA). A vital part of this process is public consultation. Local residents, NGOs, and municipal leaders have the right to attend public hearings, review the project plans, voice their concerns, and demand specific mitigation measures before environmental permits are granted. Developers are also required to establish a clear, accessible grievance mechanism for the community.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":144,"parent":110,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-137","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/has-pshp.com\/sq\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/137","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/has-pshp.com\/sq\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/has-pshp.com\/sq\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/has-pshp.com\/sq\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/has-pshp.com\/sq\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=137"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/has-pshp.com\/sq\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/137\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":143,"href":"https:\/\/has-pshp.com\/sq\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/137\/revisions\/143"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/has-pshp.com\/sq\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/110"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/has-pshp.com\/sq\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/144"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/has-pshp.com\/sq\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=137"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}