The joint venture announcement followed a rigorous process, with EDF power solutions Australia chosen for its significant global experience and capability in the development and operation of pumped hydro energy storage assets.
If developed, the LLPHES Project would be capable of producing 385 MW of reliable dispatchable energy – enough to supply over 250,000 homes in New South Wales (NSW) for up to eight hours.
Mark Collette, Managing Director of EnergyAustralia said: “Our purpose is to lead and accelerate the clean energy transformation for all. The LLPHES project is a major initiative as part of this transition, providing storage that will firm renewables.
We recognise pumped hydro requires unique expertise to ensure it is developed and delivered efficiently, while considering the best interests of the local community and the wider state of NSW.
This partnership will enable both EnergyAustralia and EDF power solutions Australia to lend their expertise to the continued development of this important Project.
“EnergyAustralia holds long term relationships with the Lithgow community, and we have built strong relationships with the community. We look forward to continuing to work with the community and local stakeholders.”
EDF power solutions Australia Chief Executive Officer Mr James Katsikas said the organisation brings deep international and local experience that uniquely positions it to help deliver the LLPHES project safely, efficiently and to a world-class standard.
“EDF Group is one of the world’s largest, diversified low-carbon energy producers. We own and operate over 20 GWs of hydroelectric assets across the globe and are developing many more GWs.
In Australia we are already leading the Dungowan PHES project near Tamworth, NSW, with 300 MWs and ten hours of storage that will support NSW’s energy transition,” he said.
“We will work with EnergyAustralia and all interested stakeholders to ensure that LLPHES becomes a model of sustainable development and a source of real pride for the region.”
EnergyAustralia and EDF power solutions Australia have created a joint venture to enable the continued development of the Project.
Together, EnergyAustralia and EDF power solutions Australia own 100% of the Project, with EDF power solutions Australia having acquired a 75% equity interest. EnergyAustralia will retain first rights to the power offtake for LLPHES.
EnergyAustralia will continue to have responsibility for community, neighbour and stakeholder engagement and the Lithgow community as part of the project.
The Project is working towards its Environmental Impact Statement submission in 2025, with Final Investment Decision targeted for late 2026.
EnergyAustralia has invested hundreds of millions of dollars into its Mt Piper power station, which is today one of Australia’s most flexible coal-fired power stations, capable of reducing generation when renewables are abundant.
EnergyAustralia is also developing a major utility scale battery at the Mt Piper site.
By submitting this form you agree to pv magazine using your data for the purposes of publishing your comment.
Your personal data will only be disclosed or otherwise transmitted to third parties for the purposes of spam filtering or if this is necessary for technical maintenance of the website. Any other transfer to third parties will not take place unless this is justified on the basis of applicable data protection regulations or if pv magazine is legally obliged to do so.
You may revoke this consent at any time with effect for the future, in which case your personal data will be deleted immediately. Otherwise, your data will be deleted if pv magazine has processed your request or the purpose of data storage is fulfilled.
Further information on data privacy can be found in our Data Protection Policy.