Major milestone reached on $14.2bn Borumba Pumped Hydro project

The proposed $14.2 billion Borumba Pumped Hydro Energy Storage (PHES) project in Queensland has marked a new major milestone as it is declared a coordinated project by the State’s Coordinator-General. 

Declaring the Borumba PHES as a coordinated project means that a rigorous assessment of social, economic and environmental matters can commence. 

“This marks another step forward for the Borumba Pumped Hydro Energy Storage project, and further progress towards our state’s future as a clean energy superpower. 

“Over the past year, we have led the nation in the construction of new clean energy project, driving new investment and generating good jobs for Queenslanders. 

“Our targets of 70 per cent renewables by 2032 and net zero emissions by 2050 are set to transform our infrastructure, energy and economy,” Deputy Premier Steven Miles said. 

The pumped hydro storage project is one of Queensland’s largest clean energy projects, and it is being developed by Queensland Hydro. 

The proposed multi-billion-dollar project will include: 

• A new dam wall 300 metres downstream of the existing Borumba Dam wall to increase the storage capacity of Lake Borumba (lower reservoir) 
• Main dam wall and saddle dams to form an upper reservoir 
• Underground power station, pumped turbines and other infrastructure 
• Underground tunnels including water tunnels to transfer water between the upper and lower reservoirs, cable and access tunnels 
• Electrical switchyard for connection between the power station and the transmission network 
• Supporting infrastructure (temporary and permanent) including access roads, maintenance buildings, treatment plants, spoil areas and laydown areas, construction camps and quarries and/or borrow pits 

Once completed, the Borumba PHES will have the capacity to generate up to 2,000MW of electricity for about 24 hours at a time. 

“The development of pumped hydro energy storage will play a key role in Queensland’s renewable energy transition. 

“It’s all part of our Government’s Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, to power Queensland homes with cleaner, cheaper and reliable energy,” Member for Nicklin Rob Skelton said. 

“The declaration of this project represents a major milestone for one of Queensland’s most significant renewable energy projects. 

“We’re continuing to pack renewable energy projects to deliver more good Queensland jobs, and reach our renewable energy targets,” Member for Caloundra Jason Hunt said. 

Queensland Hydro will now begin preparing a rigorous Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the project, and the community will have the opportunity to comment on what should be included in the EIS. 

“Our Borumba Project is a cornerstone of the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan and presents a world of opportunity for our local communities and businesses – jobs, new industries, regional development, local investment. 

“Earlier this year we also submitted a Controlled Action referral to the Commonwealth Government under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cwth) (EPBC Act), and we’re waiting their decision on whether the Project will be considered a Controlled Action, and what Commonwealth assessment pathway will be required. 

“We will work proactively with the local community, Traditional Owners, leading experts and conservation groups throughout the process to ensure we’re implementing sustainable practices at all stages of the project, and we will keep them updated on the progress at regular intervals,” Queensland Hydro CEO Kieran Cusack said. 

In addition, geotechnical exploratory drilling is now underway in the Southern Queensland Renewable Energy Zone and the results will help inform the EIS process. 

Major construction on the Borumba Pumped Hydro Energy Storage project is expected to begin in 2025. The project is estimated to create about 2,360 full-time equivalent jobs during its construction phase and a further 30 full-time equivalent jobs once operational. 

“The Borumba project will be subject to our Queensland procurement policy which means we’re looking for Sunshine Coast companies and tradies to be part of this big build. 

“Borumba will allow us to replace expensive fossil fuels with Queensland’s sun, wind, and water – putting the Sunshine State on the map as a global renewable energy hub. 

“Pumped hydro is proven technology, ready to go now, and has been supercharged by a $19 billion investment in our Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, creating around 2,000 local jobs and securing our renewable energy future. 

“Because Queenslanders kept their energy network in public hands, they have the power like nowhere else in the nation to benefit from the clean energy transition,” Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen and Minister for Public Works and Procurement Mick de Brenni said. 

The project is located approximately 13 kilometres south-west of Imbil, 48 kilometres south-west of Gympie and 180 kilometres north-west of Brisbane. 

In June of this year, the Queensland Government announced that it will commit $6 billion for the Borumba Project. You can read more about it here. 

Source: Queensland Government – Media Statements; Queensland Hydro (1, 2); Queensland Government – State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning; Utility Magazine; PV Magazine