AGL will acquire two pumped hydro energy storage projects in New South Wales’ Hunter region from Upper Hunter Hydro Top Trust and its trustee (UHH).
On current designs, the projects at Glenbawn and Glennies Creek plan to provide 770MW 10-hour and 623MW 10-hour pumped hydro energy storage capacity respectively with the future opportunity for integrated wind farms.
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AGL chief operating officer Markus Brokhof said, “Adding long-duration storage such as pumped hydro is a focus for AGL as we continue to build out the breadth of our development pipeline to achieve our ambition of adding 12GW of new renewables and firming by 2035.
“This acquisition adds to AGL’s growing development pipeline. The project has favourable topography and is located in the Upper Hunter NSW, continuing our ongoing commitment to the economy in the Hunter region.
“It is crucial the future energy system is developed with a spectrum of storage and firming, encompassing short, medium, and long-term storage technologies. Developing pumped hydro energy storage and other synchronous long duration storage is integral to ensuring reliability and affordability as Australia transitions to a renewable energy system.”
Pumped hydro works by pumping water from a lower reservoir into an upper reservoir where it can be stored and then run downhill through turbines to generate electricity. The stored water is potential energy that can be used when the grid needs it including during peak demand periods.
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UHH outgoing chairman, the Hon. Malcolm Turnbull AC, said UHH was pleased AGL was acquiring the Upper Hunter Hydro projects.
“Long duration storage will play a critical role in Australia’s future energy system, helping to keep the grid reliable by shifting renewable energy to match consumer demand. The Glenbawn and Glennies Creek projects are well placed to create jobs and drive investment in the Hunter which plays a pivotal role in the energy transition,” Turnbull said.
