Alinta advances design work on 900-MW pumped storage project in NSW

Australian power and gas company Alinta Energy has hired Malaysian engineering group Gamuda and Spain’s Ferrovial Construction to help it progress the design of its 900-MW Oven Mountain Pumped Hydro project in New South Wales, Australia.

The two companies were selected to serve as early contractor involvement (ECI) partners for the project, Alinta said. The collaboration with Gamuda and Ferrovial will help it with the project design and initial procurement discussions.

Alinta submitted an environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to the state Planning Department in 2023. The current phase of the project involves working through the project costs and constructability, explained Alinta’s project director Anthony Wiseman, adding that this is the most advanced pumped hydro project in New South Wales.

"In this phase, we're ensuring that we can get the parts, we can get the materials, we can get the labour, and at the right cost, so that construction can commence once we receive our remaining approvals and make a final investment decision,” Wiseman said.

The Oven Mountain pumped hydro complex, to be sited within the New England Renewable Energy Zone, will provide eight hours of energy storage capacity, which is expected to help the Aussie state replace coal-fired power and add more renewables. Its construction is anticipated to last five years.

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