One of Queensland’s largest renewable energy projects is set to take place right in the Sunshine Coast’s backyard.
With a two gigawatt and 24 hours energy storage capacity, the Borumba Dam Pumped Hydro Energy Storage (PHES) project would be the state’s largest pumped hydro project, supporting 2000 construction jobs and potentially power up to 1.5 million homes.
The project, which has been investigated since February and is currently in the consultation process, has been included in Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s newly announced $62 billion energy and jobs plan to 2035.
Premier Palaszczuk said the plan aims to transform Queensland’s electricity network with $62 billion worth of public and private investment over the next 15 years.
It involves significant investment in wind turbines, solar panels, batteries, pumped hydro equipment and transmission lines.
Various engineering, environmental, geological, hydrological and commercial studies are currently under way for the potential hydro pump at Borumba Dam and are expected to be completed throughout 2022.
University of the Sunshine Coast Research Fellow Dr Rick Jaeger believes the proposed plan is “incredible news for Queensland”, with many exciting aspects such as an improved grid, regional development and more rooftop solar.
With Queensland’s comfortable temperatures and sunshine, Dr Jaeger said meeting the Government’s target of 50 per cent renewable energy by 2030 would be much easier for Queensland, compared to most countries.
He added that the timing of the delivery of the plan was good, “but an earlier start to the transition could have made things a bit easier”.
“Queenslanders have benefitted from exporting coal for a long time and that has been a pretty comfortable position to be in,” Dr Jaeger said.
“All Queenslanders were not ready to get on board earlier. The awareness of climate change and the urgency of the problem has become clearer and there has been a shift in mentality.
“I think there would have been a lot of push back if politicians tried this 10- 15 years (ago).”
With more expected severe weather events and rising sea levels, overall, Dr Jaeger said Queensland will have to deal with the consequences of climate change sooner or later.
“All countries will have to make a transition to a carbon neutral society sooner or later, so joining the race now is good, because the earlier the better,” he said.
“Queensland has a lot of people living along the coastline and that’s where more extreme rain events (in the short term) and rising seawater levels (in the long term) will become an issue.”
He said the solution was to develop in places that are not susceptible to flooding.
“Climate change could endanger some of our current cities – more rainfall – some places are quite prone to flooding and sea level rise – for example Mudjimba and other low-lying areas,” he said.
While he said the plan was a step in the right direction towards tackling climate change and the first step of many, Dr Jaeger said he would like to see the integration of climate change adaption into future energy plans.
“This plan doesn’t contain all the necessary changes we will need to make,” he said.
“There are not sufficient details yet on small scale energy storage (batteries for individual homes or small towns) and how to integrate EV (which might be used for energy storage as well).”
In August, the Borumba Dam Hydro pump project took the next step in consultation, with tenders being called for initial engineering and consulting services to deliver design and costings for the project.
Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni said an essential part of the project was environmental feasibility studies as well as community consultation support.
“Borumba hydro is an important project for Queensland as we move towards our 50% renewable energy target by 2030,” Mr de Brenni said.
“Pumped hydro will play a key role in complementing solar and wind generation.
“We hope that Queensland-based businesses get involved in the tender process to deliver the relevant work packages.”
Gympie Regional Council Mayor Glen Hartwig said it was vital the community had their say.
“This project has the potential to create good jobs in the Gympie region and we support the consultation process,” Cr Hartwig said.
For more project information go to: Borumba Dam Hydro Pump.
To register industry and businesses interest to manufacture this equipment here in Queensland, visit: State Development manufacturing.
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