Project

Muswellbrook Pumped Hydro

PROJECT STATUS
Detailed Planning
Muswellbrook Pumped Hydro

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
Government resources
Major Project Portal
2024/02/13
Media releases
2022/09/05
2023/11/30