Stanwell is adding the Cressbrook Pumped Hydro Energy Storage (PHES) project – also known as ‘Big T’ – to its renewable energy portfolio.
The proposed project at Lake Cressbrook, 45km north-east of Toowoomba and 64km south of Stanwell’s Tarong power stations, is in its early stages of development.
The planned facility would generate 400MW of clean energy for up to 10 hours.
Related: Stanwell Asset Maintenance Company (SAMCo) will present an overview of SAMCo’s renewable energy and maintenance operations and its challenges and opportunities for Queensland’s resource and construction supply chain at the Connecting Industry Luncheon on February 19. Connect here for more information.
The government-owned generator is purchasing the project from BE Power in joint venture with an established global pumped hydro operator, which has not been publicly named at this stage of the deal.
“The development of medium duration energy storage, like pumped hydro, is crucial to enable the continued build out of renewable energy generation,” Stanwell chief executive officer Michael O’Rourke said.
“Cressbrook PHES also supports the ongoing development of our Tarong Clean Energy Hub.”
The project is expected to bring significant benefits to the Toowoomba and Somerset regions, with 350 construction jobs created and 13 operational roles needed over the life of the project.
Stanwell’s Asset Maintenance Company will also be given preference to service and maintain the facility over its projected 50-year operational life.
Stanwell said it would be seeking additional investment partners to help fund the construction.
It would require construction of a new upper reservoir on Mount Sevastopol, with an intake/outlet infrastructure connecting the water conveyances between that reservoir and Lake Cressbrook (acting as the lower reservoir).
Other elements include an underground power station cavern, 15km underground double-circuit 275 kilovolt transmission line, evacuation and ventilation tunnel, local road upgrades and a battery energy storage system.
Cressbrook PHES is anticipated to commence operations in mid-2033 and would meet about 25 per cent of Stanwell’s future energy storage requirements.
