Queensland Hydro appoints AFRY-Aurecon JV to PHES design role for the Borumba Pumped Hydro Project.

• Queensland Hydro has awarded AFRY-Aurecon Joint Venture (JV) the Pumped Hydro Energy Storage (PHES) Design contract for the Borumba Pumped Hydro Project.
• The $39.9 million contract will see AFRY-Aurecon JV deliver critical front-end engineering design of the PHES storage project.
• The $14.2 billion Borumba Project is a 2,000 MW pumped hydro scheme located west of the Sunshine Coast designed to provide energy stability and reliability as Queensland transitions to renewable energy.

Swedish-headquartered international engineering, design and advisory company AFRY and Australian-headquartered international engineering, design and advisory firm Aurecon have been awarded the Pumped Hydro Energy Storage (PHES) Design Services contract for the proposed Borumba Pumped Hydro Project.

The AFRY-Aurecon Joint Venture (JV) was successful in their bid to deliver the design works for the project, after a competitive tender process. AFRY-Aurecon’s strength and depth of technical capability, ability to meet schedule and commitment to collaborating with Queensland Hydro and its design partners will see the Borumba Project benefit from international and Australian expertise.

AFRY brings over 125 years of profound hydropower expertise, contributing to the implementation of more than 60 pumped hydro projected globally since the 1960s. Aurecon has almost a century of experience delivering mega infrastructure projects in Australia, and is recognised globally for pioneering revolutionary and ‘first-of-its-kind’ renewable energy and storage projects for government and industry.  

Queensland Hydro CEO Kieran Cusack said that this natural partnership underpinned an extraordinary milestone for the Borumba Project.

“We’re delighted to be bringing AFRY-Aurecon JV on board for the design work of the pumped hydro energy storage scheme. Their industry-leading and global expertise in mega infrastructure projects across traditional and clean energy sectors is an ideal partnership for our world-class Borumba Pumped Hydro Project,” Mr Cusack said.  

“AFRY-Aurecon JV will advance our front-end engineering design documentation, focusing on the technical elements of the pumped hydro scheme itself – such as the interplay between the turbines, cavern design, tunnel waterway design, and other equipment – ensuring that the Borumba Project is safe, reliable and technically-sound.”

The AFRY-Aurecon JV will also assist Queensland Hydro in the procurement of both the PHES Delivery and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Delivery partners.

“The Borumba Pumped Hydro Project will be a game-changer for Queensland and a cornerstone of Australia's clean energy transition. At AFRY, we are proud to be part of this ambitious project and honoured, alongside our partner Aurecon, to provide our leading hydropower design expertise to bring it to life,” Knut Sierotzki, Vice President Hydropower Asia/Pacific & Country Manager Australia said.

“With AFRY’s vast experience in pumped storage design, we are uniquely positioned to support Queensland Hydro in the successful implementation of this critical infrastructure for the benefit of Queensland’s communities. This project underscores AFRY’s strong legacy in hydropower and reinforces our commitment towards a more sustainable society.”

Paul Gleeson, Managing Director, Energy – Australia Aurecon said that highly reliable long-duration pumped hydro storage played a critical role in stabilising an electricity grid that has high levels of renewable energy.

“It complements the typically shorter duration storage provided by utility-scale batteries, allowing stored energy to be released into our electricity grid when needed,” Mr Gleeson said.

“As an Australian-headquartered company, Aurecon is proud to be supporting Queensland’s renewable energy ambitions, alongside our partner AFRY, adding to our long history of collaborating locally and globally across industry and government to deliver renewable energy infrastructure firsts at scale.”

More information   

This package of works is for the main works phase, where most of the construction for the proposed $14.2 billion pumped hydro energy storage project will take place. Main works are scheduled to commence in 2026, subject to regulatory approvals. Queensland Hydro is currently undertaking studies as part of an Environmental Impact Statement.

ENDS

Media contacts:

Queensland Hydro: [email protected]

AFRY: Virginia Ferrari, Communications Manager | Energy Division [email protected]

Aurecon: Lucy Griffin Brand, Marketing, Communications Business Partner - Clients & Markets, Aurecon [email protected]   

Click here to read more about the Borumba Project.

Suppliers can register their interest for these packages via Gateway by ICN.

First published 17 September 2024.