2GW pumped hydro energy storage project in Queensland, Australia, progresses

LinkedIn
Twitter
Reddit
Facebook
Email
The pumped hydro energy storage system will be located at Lake Borumba (above). Image: Queensland Hydro.

Queensland Hydro has launched a public consultation phase for its 2GW Borumba Pumped Hydro Project in Australia.

The pumped hydro energy storage system (PHES) will be located at Lake Borumba, near Imbil, west of the Sunshine Coast, and is targeting first power in 2030.

It will cost around AUS$14.2 billion (US$9.6 billion) to develop and build. In June 2023, the Queensland government revealed that it would provide AUS$6 billion in funding for the project.

An Expression of Interest (EOI) has now opened, inviting community members to indicate their interest in one of three initiatives. This includes joining the reformed stakeholder reference group, participating in one of the newly established focus groups, or serving on the community benefits panel.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Enjoy 12 months of exclusive analysis

Not ready to commit yet?
  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Annual digital subscription to the PV Tech Power journal
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

A community benefits framework has also been confirmed for the project. Due to be finalised later this year, the framework includes an initial AUS$5 million funding package to deliver local mountain bike and walking trails.

Queensland Hydro CEO Kieran Cusack said earlier this year community feedback was sought on how to best deliver lasting, positive benefits through its programs and initiatives.

“We care about our communities and stakeholders and want them to have a say in the process to shape our proposed projects,” Cusack said.

“We’ll work closely and transparently with the community to honour the diverse perspectives and local knowledge they bring. We want to be good neighbours, and this means listening to local communities so we can co-design our projects with their input.”

Queensland’s largest PHES

Queensland is set to become home to numerous PHES projects. The state is looking to provide a flexible solution as its grid continues to integrate renewable energy into its mix as coal-fired power plants are withdrawn.

In June 2023, the state’s largest PHES project, the 5GW Pioneer-Burdekin Pumped Hydro Project, which would offer long-duration energy storage (LDES) over a 24-hour discharge duration, awarded key contracts to progress its development.

Read Next

August 29, 2025
The Australian government has opened two CIS tenders in Western Australia, targeting 2.4GWh of energy storage and 1.6GW of renewables.
August 29, 2025
Potentia Energy, a joint venture co-owned by Enel Green Power and INPEX, has secured the first environmental approval for a grid-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) under South Australia’s new Hydrogen and Renewable Energy (HRE) Act.
August 29, 2025
French independent power producer (IPP) Neoen, which is now fully owned by Canadian investment firm Brookfield, has switched on the second phase of its 560MW/2,240MWh Collie BESS in Western Australia.
August 28, 2025
European Commission funding is supporting a project to integrate battery storage at a pumped hydro energy storage (PHES) plant in Slovakia.
August 28, 2025
“Australia is one of the leading countries for grid-forming inverters,” said Natalie Thompson, senior analyst of energy storage and solar at Wood Mackenzie, when discussing the Australian energy storage market.

Most Popular

Email Newsletter