Pumped Storage Hydro

EnergyAustralia releases animated tour of proposed Lake Lyell Pumped Hydro project

EnergyAustralia releases animated tour of proposed Lake Lyell Pumped Hydro project
(photo courtesy EnergyAustralia)

EnergyAustralia has released an animated “fly-through” tour of the proposed 335 MW Lake Lyell Pumped Hydro project, intended to assist further community consultation by providing an ultra-realistic depiction of the key elements of the proposed concept design. 

In response to community requests for additional information, EnergyAustralia also released additional technical drawings associated with the concept design that are available on the project website. 

“Following the release of the concept design in December, a number of community members have been seeking more information,” said Lake Lyell Pumped Hydro Project Director, Mike De Vink. “The animation and technical drawings provide an additional level of detail to help visualize the project, and we hope they are a catalyst for further feedback.”

The company is now working on environmental and other studies as part of the project’s Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

The Lake Lyell Pumped Hydro project – near Lithgow in New South Wales — is in the feasibility stage, with a decision on proceeding likely in the second half of 2025. The project has a proposed capacity of 335 MW for up to eight hours, with capacity of up to 400 MW for a shorter duration. The project would be built on EnergyAustralia owned-land and will not require any new transmission lines to be built.

The Lake Lyell Pumped Hydro Project will create 600 jobs during construction, EnergyAustralia said. The project has received funding from the government of New South Wales, Australia, under the NSW Pumped Hydro Recoverable Grants Program.

EnergyAustralia said energy storage projects like Lake Lyell will be essential to keep the lights on as coal-fired power stations retire to reduce carbon emissions.