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Reversible Pump Turbines Market

The market for Reversible Pump Turbines was estimated at $2.2 billion in 2025; it is anticipated to increase to $3.0 billion by 2030, with projections indicating growth to around $4.1 billion by 2035.

Report ID:DS2401022
Author:Chandra Mohan - Sr. Industry Consultant
Published Date:
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Energy & Power
Power Generation
Reversible Pump Turbines
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Market Data
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Global Reversible Pump Turbines Market Outlook

Revenue, 2025

$2.2B

Forecast, 2035

$4.1B

CAGR, 2026 - 2035

6.5%

The Reversible Pump Turbines (RPTs) industry revenue is expected to be around $2.2 billion in 2026 and expected to showcase growth with 6.5% CAGR between 2026 and 2035. This outlook reflects the critical role of Reversible Pump Turbines in modern pumped storage hydropower and grid stability, as power utilities and industrial & municipal water management operators together representing 83.2% of end-use demand intensify investments in flexible, low-carbon power infrastructure to support renewable energy integration, grid flexibility, and peak load management. Vertical type configurations currently dominate the Reversible Pump Turbines market, accounting for approximately $1.6 billion in revenue in 2025, driven by their high hydraulic efficiency, compact underground installation profile, and proven reliability in large-scale hydropower plants. Ongoing modernization of aging hydroelectric fleets, supportive policy frameworks for energy storage systems, and the need for rapid-response capacity to mitigate supply-demand volatility are consolidating the position of Reversible Pump Turbines as a core asset class for resilient, future-ready power systems.

Reversible Pump Turbines are dual-function hydro machines that operate alternately as pumps and turbines, enabling efficient elevation of water to upper reservoirs during off-peak periods and subsequent energy recovery during peak demand, thereby forming the backbone of large-scale pumped storage hydropower schemes and grid balancing strategies. Key technical features include high round-trip efficiency, robust cavitation-resistant design, fast start-stop capability, and compatibility with advanced variable-speed technology, which collectively enhance operational flexibility and extend asset life. Major applications span power utilities seeking long-duration energy storage systems, ancillary services, and black-start capability, as well as industrial and municipal water management projects that leverage RPTs for pressure regulation and energy recovery in complex water networks. Recent demand is increasingly shaped by the integration of digital monitoring solutions, predictive maintenance analytics, and hybrid configurations that combine RPTs with solar and wind assets, enabling more dynamic dispatch, higher capacity factors, and improved economics across both new-build and retrofit installations.

Reversible Pump Turbines market outlook with forecast trends, drivers, opportunities, supply chain, and competition 2025-2035
Reversible Pump Turbines Market Outlook

Market Key Insights

  • The Reversible Pump Turbines market is projected to grow from $2.2 billion in 2025 to $4.1 billion in 2035. This represents a CAGR of 6.5%, reflecting rising demand across Hydropower Generation, Grid Management, and Water Desalination.

  • Voith, Andritz, and GE Renewable Energy are among the leading players in this market, shaping its competitive landscape.

  • U.S. and China are the top markets within the Reversible Pump Turbines market and are expected to observe the growth CAGR of 4.2% to 6.2% between 2025 and 2030.

  • Emerging markets including India, Brazil and South Africa are expected to observe highest growth with CAGR ranging between 7.5% to 9.0%.

  • Transition like Transition from Conventional Power Plants to Renewable Energy Sources has greater influence in United States and China market's value chain; and is expected to add $79 million of additional value to Reversible Pump Turbines industry revenue by 2030.

  • The Reversible Pump Turbines market is set to add $1.9 billion between 2025 and 2035, with manufacturer targeting Mining and Heavy Industry & Industrial & Municipal Water Management Application projected to gain a larger market share.

  • With

    rising demand for energy storage applications, and

    Technological Advancements in Pump Turbine Design, Reversible Pump Turbines market to expand 88% between 2025 and 2035.

reversible pump turbines market size with pie charts of major and emerging country share, CAGR, trends for 2025 and 2032
Reversible Pump Turbines - Country Share Analysis

Opportunities in the Reversible Pump Turbines

Europe’s ongoing coal phase-out leaves deep mines and thermal plant reservoirs underutilised, yet they offer ideal upper–lower reservoirs for underground pumped storage. Compact horizontal reversible pump turbines suit these brownfield, low- to medium-head sites and can be factory-assembled for rapid deployment. Although the horizontal segment is also smaller today about $0.61 billion in 2025, its faster 7.53% CAGR to roughly $0.87 billion by 2030 underscores strong upside from EU just-transition funding and grid-flexibility markets.

Growth Opportunities in Asia-Pacific and Europe

In Asia-Pacific, Reversible Pump Turbines are primarily driven by large Power Utilities seeking pumped storage hydropower projects to stabilize rapid renewable energy integration and deliver low-carbon power at scale, while Mining and Heavy Industry applications gain importance in resource-rich economies. Top opportunities include greenfield high-head storage schemes, retrofitting conventional hydro with variable-speed pump turbines for finer peak load management and ancillary services, and long-term service partnerships with state-owned utilities. Competition is defined by aggressive pricing from regional manufacturers, technology-led differentiation from global OEMs, and consortia with local EPCs to meet localization and financing requirements. Policy-driven demand for grid flexibility solutions and climate-resilient water infrastructure supports additional growth in Industrial & Municipal Water Management, especially in fast-urbanizing markets.
In Europe, Reversible Pump Turbines are most relevant for Power Utilities aiming to replace retiring baseload assets and support deep renewable energy integration, with Industrial & Municipal Water Management also significant due to aging water infrastructure and stricter environmental standards. Top opportunities center on hydropower modernization of existing pumped storage fleets, deployment of advanced control systems and digital monitoring, and installation of high-efficiency, variable-speed pump turbines to enhance flexibility in intraday and seasonal balancing markets. Competition is technology-intensive, with established OEMs and specialized engineering firms focusing on premium, high-reliability solutions rather than volume, and partnerships with transmission system operators to deliver smart grid and cross-border balancing capabilities. Regulatory drivers such as decarbonization targets, market-based ancillary services, and incentives for long-duration storage strengthen the investment case for advanced Reversible Pump Turbines across both refurbishment and carefully sited new-build projects.

Market Dynamics and Supply Chain

01

Driver: Integrated Renewable Energy Adoption and Rising Demand for Grid‑Scale Energy Storage Solutions

One key driver for reversible pump turbines is also the rapid integration of intermittent renewable energy sources such as wind and solar with electricity grids coupled with the growing need for large‑scale energy storage to balance supply and demand. As countries expand renewable capacity to reduce carbon emissions, fluctuating generation from wind and solar also creates variability that demands robust storage methods. Reversible pump turbines in pumped‑storage hydropower systems store excess energy by pumping water uphill during low demand and generate electricity when demand peaks, providing reliable grid balancing and frequency regulation. This role becomes increasingly vital as renewables account for a larger share of generation worldwide. The widespread adoption of these turbines supports the transition toward cleaner energy systems and enhances grid resilience by delivering dependable long‑duration storage that complements other energy sources.
The growing investment and expansion of pumped‑storage hydropower infrastructure globally is also a major market driver for RPTs. Governments, utilities, and energy planners are also prioritizing new facilities and upgrades to existing systems to support grid reliability and long‑term energy storage needs. Projects in Asia‑Pacific, North America, and Europe are also increasing capacity to meet rising electricity demand and integrate large amounts of renewable energy, creating sustained demand for high‑efficiency reversible turbines. This trend reflects a strategic shift toward large‑scale energy storage technology and underscores the ongoing importance of pumped storage in global decarbonization efforts.
02

Restraint: High Capital Costs and Lengthy Project Development Timelines Restrict Market Growth

Reversible pump turbines are constrained by substantial upfront capital investment and extended construction timelines, making large‑scale pumped storage hydropower projects difficult to finance and implement. Establishing a new pumped‑storage facility requires extensive civil works, reservoirs, electro‑mechanical equipment, and infrastructure, often costing several thousand dollars per kilowatt of capacity. These high initial expenditures, combined with long project planning and approval periods, deter utilities and private investors, particularly in emerging markets with limited financial resources. For example, long development cycles can delay revenue streams and reduce investor confidence, slowing deployment and ultimately constraining market revenue and expansion in regions where faster and cheaper alternatives like battery storage are becoming more attractive.
03

Opportunity: Grid-scale renewable integration using high-head vertical RPTs in India and Island microgrids and resorts replacing diesel with modular RPT systems

India’s aggressive solar and wind additions are straining evening peak reliability, creating strong demand for long-duration storage co-located with hydropower assets. High-head vertical reversible pump turbines can absorb surplus daytime solar and discharge during evening peaks, providing inertia and frequency regulation. Globally, vertical-type RPTs already lead with about $1.60 billion revenue in 2025, projected to reach $2.16 billion by 2030 with 6.1% CAGR, and Indian greenfield pumped-storage projects should capture a disproportionately large share of this growth.
Remote islands and luxury eco-resorts are under regulatory and consumer pressure to cut diesel dependence while ensuring 24/7 power for tourism and critical services. Pairing rooftop solar or small wind with seawater or elevated-tank pumped storage using small horizontal RPTs unlocks dispatchable, low-visual-impact microgrids. This niche will be among the fastest-growing applications for horizontal machines, leveraging their superior 2026–2030 growth trajectory to support standardised containerised solutions, performance-based contracts, and multi-resort energy-as-a-service business models.
04

Challenge: Geographical and Environmental Limitations Hinder New Installations and Demand

Another significant restraint for RPTs is the limited availability of suitable sites and increasing environmental permitting challenges, which directly impacts project feasibility and market demand. Pumped‑storage facilities require specific topographical conditions, such as large elevation differences and ample water resources, restricting development to mountainous or water‑rich regions. Environmental concerns about reservoir impacts, ecosystem disruption, and land use often lead to regulatory hurdles and public opposition, delaying or halting projects entirely. These constraints can increase planning costs, reduce the number of viable installations, and dampen overall market growth as developers struggle to secure approvals and suitable sites for new RPTs projects.

Supply Chain Landscape

1

Hydropower Components

ABBSiemens EnergySKF
2

Reversible Pump Turbines

VoithAndritzGE Renewable Energy
3

Pumped Storage EPC

POWERCHINABechtelAtkinsRéalis
4

End-Use Applications

Pumped Hydro StorageRenewable Power PlantsGrid Ancillary Services
Reversible Pump Turbines - Supply Chain

Use Cases of Reversible Pump Turbines in Hydropower Generation & Grid Management

Hydropower Generation : Reversible pump turbines are widely used in pumped storage hydro-power facilities to support large‑scale electricity generation by efficiently converting water’s potential energy into electrical power when demand is high, and storing energy when demand is low. In these systems, turbines such as Francis‑type RPTs operate as both pumps and turbines in the same unit, moving water between upper and lower reservoirs and driving generators during generation mode. This design allows plants to optimize energy production to match consumption patterns and enhance overall grid resilience. The flexibility and high efficiency of RPTs make them essential components of modern large‑scale hydropower infrastructure, enabling reliable on‑demand generation and long‑term energy storage.
Grid Management : RPTs play a critical role in grid management by acting as mechanical energy storage systems that balance supply and demand and stabilize electrical grids. During periods of surplus electricity, excess power is used to run the turbine in pump mode, moving water to an elevated reservoir. When energy demand spikes, the same machine operates in turbine mode to generate electricity quickly, alleviating stress on the grid. This capability supports peak load management, frequency regulation and renewable integration by storing intermittent solar and wind energy for release when needed. The rapid response and bidirectional operation of reversible pump‑turbine units enhance the flexibility and reliability of modern power networks.
Water Desalination : In the context of water desalination, RPTs indirectly support energy‑intensive processes by improving the efficiency and sustainability of desalination operations. While desalination technologies such as reverse osmosis primarily depend on high‑pressure feed pumps to force seawater through membranes, integrating RPTs into hybrid renewable energy and storage systems can reduce the net cost of electricity for desalination plants. By storing surplus renewable power as potential energy and generating electricity during peak periods, pumped‑storage systems can supply more cost‑effective power to desalination facilities, particularly in remote or energy‑scarce regions. This synergy enhances the sustainability of water production and supports stable power delivery for continuous desalination operations.

Recent Developments

Recent developments in reversible pump turbines show growing emphasis on grid‑scale energy storage and renewable integration as utilities expand pumped‑storage hydropower capacity to support intermittent solar and wind generation. Technological improvements in turbine efficiency, variable speed operation, and digital control systems enhance flexibility for frequency regulation and load balancing. A key market trend is the integration of RPTs with smart grid and microgrid solutions, enabling more reliable demand response, optimized energy management, and improved system resilience in evolving power networks.

September 2025 : ANDRITZ secured a significant contract from Adani Green Energy Limited to supply reversible pump turbines, motor‑generators, and full electromechanical packages for the 1800 MW Gandikota pumped storage project in Andhra Pradesh. This order, valued in the low three‑digit million‑euro range, strengthens ANDRITZ’s position in India’s growing renewable energy storage market by supporting large‑scale grid balancing infrastructure.
April 2025 : Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation completed delivery and installation of four 350 MW pumped‑storage hydro turbines and associated systems at the Ninghai facility in Zhejiang Province. These reversible pump turbines enhance grid flexibility and help balance supply and demand as part of state grid efforts to integrate renewables.

Impact of Industry Transitions on the Reversible Pump Turbines Market

As a core segment of the Power Generation industry, the Reversible Pump Turbines market develops in line with broader industry shifts. Over recent years, transitions such as Transition from Conventional Power Plants to Renewable Energy Sources and Adoption of Smart Grid Technology have redefined priorities across the Power Generation sector, influencing how the Reversible Pump Turbines market evolves in terms of demand, applications and competitive dynamics. These transitions highlight the structural changes shaping long-term growth opportunities.
01

Transition from Conventional Power Plants to Renewable Energy Sources

As power systems in major economies accelerate the shift from conventional thermal plants to renewable energy sources, RPTs are emerging as a critical enabler of pumped storage hydropower, grid stability, and flexible generation. By supporting large-scale integration of wind and solar, these energy storage solutions provide fast-response balancing, peak load management, and ancillary services that optimize the power grid value chain. The impact is most pronounced in the United States and China, where rapid decarbonization and smart grid investments are projected to generate an additional $79 million in RPTs industry revenue by 2030. This incremental value underscores growing demand for high-efficiency hydroelectric power assets, advanced turbine technologies, and lifecycle services, strengthening manufacturers’ strategic positioning across project development, installation, and long-term operations.
02

Adoption of Smart Grid Technology

The adoption of smart grid technology is transforming energy systems, and RPTs are playing a crucial role in this transition. By acting as large-scale energy storage units, RPTs help balance supply and demand, store excess renewable energy, and release power during peak periods, enhancing grid stability. For instance, in regions with high solar or wind penetration, pumped-storage plants equipped with reversible turbines enable utilities to integrate intermittent generation without risking blackouts. Industrial sectors, such as manufacturing and data centers, benefit from more reliable electricity supply and improved load management. This shift toward smart grids and energy storage solutions is accelerating investment in pumped-storage infrastructure, supporting cleaner, more resilient, and cost-effective power systems globally.