What is helms pumped storage?

Helms Pumped Storage is a hydroelectric power plant located in the mountains of western North Carolina in the United States. The facility uses large reservoirs to store excess energy generated during periods of low demand, and then releases that energy during periods of high demand to help maintain the reliability of the electrical grid. The Helms pumped storage facility has a generating capacity of 1,000 megawatts and can power about 500,000 homes. It was constructed in the 1970s and has been in operation since 1977. The Helms pumped storage facility has been recognized for its efficiency and reliability, and is considered a critical component of the electrical grid in the southeastern United States.