Borumba Dam Pumped Hydro

Detailed design and cost analysis

The Queensland Government is investigating a potential pumped hydro 2-gigawatt energy storage facility at Borumba Dam, located near Imbil, 45 minutes south-west of Gympie.

Various engineering, environmental, geological, hydrological and commercial studies are currently under way. They will be completed throughout 2022.

In June 2022, we committed an additional $13 million to broaden the scope for engineering, environmental, social and recreational studies, and enable an earlier investment decision on the Borumba pumped hydro energy storage project.

This funding follows an initial investment of $22 million for the studies.

Further development of the project will follow an environmental approval process—as with any other large-scale infrastructure project—including relevant approvals from state and federal governments.

Site selection

Borumba Dam was selected as the first site for a detailed design and cost analysis after a statewide assessment of potential pumped hydro locations through the Queensland Hydro Study.

We identified Borumba Dam due to its proximity to the high-voltage transmission network, existing dam infrastructure and location to the Southern Queensland Renewable Energy Zone.

We have also previously identified the site as a possible location for a pumped hydro facility, and Powerlink has owned the site since the 1980s.

Engagement

We are committed to engaging with the community and key stakeholders early and often to ensure we deliver the best outcomes not only for Queensland, but also the local community.

We are currently assessing environmental impacts as part of the detailed analytical studies at Borumba.

Extensive community engagement on the feasibility of pumped hydro at Borumba Dam began in December 2021 and is ongoing. Stakeholders have provided useful insights so far, and will continue to have an opportunity to provide input into relevant studies within the detailed design and cost analysis.

Residents and community groups can also provide feedback about, and input into, what may become a larger recreational and tourism hub for the Gympie region.

We will consider potential environmental impacts when we decide whether the Borumba project should move ahead.

To learn more about community engagement activities and how you can get involved, visit the Queensland Hydro website.

For more information about Powerlink’s transmission corridor planning and engagement, visit the Powerlink website.

Contact us

For enquiries about the Borumba detailed design and cost analysis, contact Queensland Hydro.

Further information

Last updated:: 29 September 2022