pumped hydro Archives - Renew Economy

Wind

Wind farm dumped from Australia’s first pumped hydro project in 40 years – due to rocky terrain
Plans to add more solar and a wind farm to delayed pumped hydro project abandoned, this time due to rocky terrain. However, a bigger battery will be included.
Rachel Williamson

Aug 17, 2026

4
Commentary

How pumped hydro could help get South Australia all the way to 100 pct renewables
South Australia could benefit from pumped hydro energy storage as it tracks towards 100% average solar and wind in 2027. And it has some Class A sites.
Andrew Blakers

Jul 3, 2025

43
Policy & Planning

Huge 2 gigawatt, 20 GWh pumped hydro proposal wins state government backing
Plans to develop a 2GW/20GWh pumped hydro project, that promises to enable nearly 6GW of new renewables capacity, win government backing.
Joshua S Hill

Apr 18, 2025

24
Storage

“Really terrible:” Bad location could triple cost of pumped hydro project favoured by LNP
Energy expert says massive pumped hydro project favoured by successive state governments is in a bad location, and alternative sites could be much cheaper.
Sophie Vorrath

Mar 26, 2025

14
Renewables

A summer of record renewables, record demand highs and record demand lows, and no blackouts
Australia’s main grid boasted a record share of renewables over summer, and experienced record demand highs and record demand lows – and no supply shortfalls.
Giles Parkinson

Mar 4, 2025

25
Commentary

Pumped hydro doesn’t have to be expensive: If it is, it might be in the wrong spot
Australian pumped hydro project proposals tend not to be located at premium sites, which translates to higher costs. A new paper explains.
Andrew Blakers

Mar 3, 2025

21
Renewables

Japanese energy giant gets FIRB tick for Genex bid, lays out plans for big wind project
Genex gets FIRB approval for the bid by J-Power, and lodges an EPBC application for its big Kidston wind farm.
Rachel Williamson

Jun 17, 2024

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Storage

Turnbull says CIS won’t work for long duration storage, nuclear support is “religion” for Coalition
Former PM turned aspiring pumped hydro developer calls for changes to the Capacity Investment Scheme, arguing long duration storage needs a separate category with looser time constraints.
Giles Parkinson

May 22, 2024

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Storage

Zen plans giant 1GW pumped hydro project at former coal pit to address solar duck
Garnaut-led Zen Energy plans 1GW, 8 GWh pumped hydro project in old coal pit west of Sydney to soak up rooftop solar.
Sophie Vorrath & Joshua S. Hill

Apr 11, 2024

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Pumped Hydro

First Nations group gets option for 20pct stake in Sunshine Hydro’s flagship project
Deal with Sunshine Hydro for innovative pumped hydro and green hydrogen hybrid project comes as more renewable companies and buyers look to work with First Nations businesses.
Rachel Williamson

Nov 27, 2023

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Storage

“Australia’s biggest engineering debacle:” Snowy 2.0 costs double again to reported $12bn
Experts call for an independent review of Snowy 2.0 as costs of the controversial project are reported to have doubled again to $12 billion, not including transmission.
Sophie Vorrath

Aug 30, 2023

0
Commentary

California duck curve now a canyon as grid load vanishes in the midday sun
The problem of net negative load during the day and steeper evening ramps is becoming stark in California. More storage is needed,
Fereidoon Sioshansi

May 15, 2023

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