Queensland pumped hydro project powers ahead

Two key contracts have been awarded for the Queensland government’s $12 billion Pioneer-Burdekin pumped hydro energy storage project.

Central Queensland business Twin Hills Engineering and Drilling has been named as the successful tenderer for the six-month geotechnical shallow drilling programme for the project.

Queensland-based joint venture Water2Wire is the successful proponent for the project’s Front-End Engineering and Design (FEED), as part of the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan.

Supporting more than 3,000 jobs during the peak of construction, the proposed scheme is expected to provide the world’s biggest pumped hydro energy storage with 5GW of clean, reliable, and affordable power supply and storage over a 24-hour period.

Queensland Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen, Mick de Brenni said the project was the cornerstone of the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, and will be the largest pumped hydro scheme in the world.

de Brenni said: “This mega pumped hydro project will act like a giant battery, and when connected to our Queensland SuperGrid, will underpin the reliability of our publicly owned grid by storing the energy generated by our renewable energy zones.

“The project is poised to offer hundreds of supply chain opportunities, and with application of the Palaszczuk Governments’ signature Buy Queensland Procurement Policy, local businesses like Twin Hills and Water2Wire will be the preferred project partners.”

Managing Director Twin Hills Engineering & Drilling Stephen Burt said: “After seeing so many contracts for private project in the region go to southern drilling firms in Sydney and Melbourne, I’m delighted to be part of the Pioneer-Burdekin project, because our program will be performed by local workers with local families supporting the local community.

“It’s great to finally get the chance to work on a local project and to prove that Mackay companies can match it on the national stage – we’re over the moon about working with Queensland Hydro.”

Picture: Queensland Government