1. ZEN Energy plans to convert Sydney’s biggest water storage facility into a pumped hydro station to provide stability to the local grid.
2. The Western Sydney Pumped Hydro project will be able to supply up to 1GW of clean energy on demand and support the local electric grid for eight continuous hours.
3. The project will involve pumping water from Lake Burragorang to a holding reservoir, utilizing underground turbines to supply power to the grid, and operating as a closed loop system to preserve water.
Australian renewable energy company ZEN Energy plans to convert Sydney’s largest water storage facility into a pumped hydro station to support the local grid. The Western Sydney Pumped Hydro project will supply up to 1GW of clean energy on demand, equivalent to powering 500,000 homes for eight continuous hours. The project is located in Nattai, NSW, and involves pumping water from Lake Burragorang through underground tunnels to a reservoir above the lake. This closed-loop system aims to provide stability to the grid as coal-fired power stations in NSW phase out.
ZEN Energy is currently consulting with stakeholders to finalize the project design and hopes to begin construction by 2027 and complete it by 2031. CEO Anthony Garnaut sees this project as a milestone in achieving a 1.5-degree world for all and ensuring energy security as the region transitions to renewables. The state of NSW has seen a surge in interest in pumped hydro development, with projects like Upper Hunter Hydro, led by former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, conducting investigations in the region. Such initiatives are crucial in maintaining grid stability and supporting the transition to cleaner energy sources.