An AGL Energy - Idemitsu Joint Venture have proposed the development of a Pumped Hydro Facility in Muswellbrook, NSW. The project would have a capacity of 500 megawatts / 4,000 megawatt hours.
The project's scope comprises:
- construction of an upper reservoir at Bells Mountain
- reconfiguration of an existing mine void for the lower reservoir
- two kilometres of waterway between the reservoir consisting of both tunnel and surface penstock
- 1.5 kilometres of transmission infrastructure
- power station hall, and
- permanent access roads
Key Dates
| Apr 2026 | Expected Construction Commencement |
| 2029 | Expected Construction Completion |
Funding contributions
| NSW Government | |
|
Funding of $9.5 million to support development of the project was provided by the Energy Corporation of NSW. |
|
Procurement
| Procuring Agency: | AGL and Idemitsu Renewables Joint Venture |
| Adviser (Govt): | Owners Engineer - Mott McDonald |
PROJECT HISTORY
| Sep 2022 | An AGL-Idemitsu Joint Venture signed a $9.5 million funding agreement with the Energy Corporation of NSW to progress the delivery of the Muswellbrook Pumped Hydro project. |
| Nov 2023 | Mott McDonald were appointed as Owners Engineer for the project. |
| Dec 2023 | Muswellbrook Pumped Hydro submitted a final Scoping Report to the NSW Department of Planning and Environment, requesting the Secretary's Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs). |
| Feb 2024 | The NSW Department of Planning and Environment has granted SEARs approval for the project. |
Estimated Total Cost
(2023)
Sector
Energy
Procurement approach
Other |
Location
New South Wales |
Resources
