Case examples of the initial rock stress measurements for design of underground pumped-storage power generation plants are presented, which have been conducted in three sites using the compact overcoring method, the borehole deformation method and the sleeve fracturing method, as well as by the hydraulic fracturing method. Analyzing the in situ rock stresses measured, it is clarified that the compact overcoring method is the most promising tool presently available for determining the three-dimensional state of in situ rock stress in highly jointed rock formations under complicated geological conditions. Its strong and weak points are discussed, as well as the importance of combining the other methods based on the different principles to obtain a more reliable assessment of the in situ stress field.