Borumba Pumped Hydro Project

Queensland Hydro is progressing a long-duration pumped hydro energy storage project at Lake Borumba.

Borumba

About the Project

The proposed Borumba Pumped Hydro Project is a 2,000 MW pumped hydro energy storage system at Lake Borumba, located near Imbil, west of the Sunshine Coast.

The existing lower reservoir (Lake Borumba) will be expanded with a new dam wall downstream from the current Borumba Dam. A second reservoir will be constructed at a higher altitude. An underground powerhouse will link the two reservoirs together. When electricity is required, water will be released from the upper reservoir through underground turbines via tunnels to the lower reservoir.

Project fact sheet

Hydro is how

Project status

The proposed Borumba Pumped Hydro Project is currently undergoing early works onsite while Queensland Hydro seeks important regulatory approvals.

In June 2023, the Queensland Government announced $6 billion in funding to progress the Borumba Pumped Hydro Project. The total project cost is estimated to be $14.2 billion.

Pending successful planning and environmental approvals, the Project is targeting first power in 2030.

Click here to learn more about our new-look community representative groups.

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November works update

Terms of Reference for EIS released

On Friday 16 August 2024, the Coordinator-General released the final Terms of Reference for the proposed Borumba Pumped Hydro Project’s main works Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

Queensland Hydro will now commence detailed studies to meet the criteria set out in the Terms of Reference.

Learn more

Hydro Studies Summary report available

The Department of Energy and Climate has released the Hydro Studies Summary report, summarising the government’s investigations into energy storage through their Queensland Hydro Study.

The report explains why pumped hydro is needed in Queensland’s future energy system and outlines the investigations and studies that led to Borumba being selected as a potential site for pumped hydro.

Queensland Hydro is committed to being transparent with our project communities. Our projects, if approved, will deliver a stable and reliable electricity supply for all Queenslanders as we transition to renewable energy.

The government report is available on the Department of Energy and Climate website. Click here to access it.

Questions about the report should be directed to the Department via [email protected]

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Project timeline

Borumba

You’re part of our process

Stakeholder engagement is a key priority for us to ensure we deliver the best outcomes for both Queensland as a whole and the local communities.

Our goal is to involve, collaborate, and empower stakeholders and stakeholders groups across all aspects of the Borumba pumped hydro project. We believe in creating connections, and working in a respectful, responsive, transparent and genuine manner.

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Business opportunities

Our projects will require the expertise of a wide range of suppliers and contractors.

Expressions of interest (EOI), tenders and other opportunities to the market will be released via the QTender portal.