Coo-Trois-Ponts Hydroelectric Power Station

The Coo-Trois-Ponts Hydroelectric Power Station is a pumped-storage hydroelectric power station in eastern Belgium, located near Coo in the valley of the Amblève, on the territory of Stavelot and Trois-Ponts in the Province of Liège. Operated by Electrabel, it is Belgium's principal large-scale electricity-storage facility and one of the largest pumped-storage installations in Europe. The station consists of two upper reservoirs on Mont Saint-Victor, a lower reservoir occupying a former meander of the Amblève, two large hydraulic circuits, and an underground powerhouse equipped with six reversible Francis pump-turbines. During periods of low electricity demand or surplus generation, water is pumped from the lower reservoir to the upper reservoirs. During periods of high demand, the water is released back through the turbines to generate electricity. Coo was developed in two main phases: the first three units, known as Coo I, were commissioned in 1971–1972, and the three additional Coo II units were commissioned in 1979. Its original function was closely connected with the development of nuclear power in Belgium. The plant was designed to help balance the output of large, relatively inflexible nuclear power stations at Doel and Tihange, absorbing electricity during off-peak periods and returning it to the grid during peak demand. Since the liberalisation of electricity markets a

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