100 construction jobs to be created in Origin's plan to double its hydro power at Shoalhaven
Celotti workforce • May 14, 2018
A $250 million plan for pumped hydro energy generation near Illawarra could provide baseload renewable power for up to 80,000 homes.
Origin Energy on Monday revealed more detail on its plans to double its pumped hydro storage power in New South Wales' Illawarra region to take advantage of rapidly falling renewable energy costs.
It is considering two potential options for expanding its Shoalhaven pumped hydro storage power station, which could power another 80,000 homes, and potentially come online around the same time energy rival AGL plans to shut down the Liddell coal-fired power station.
Origin chief executive Frank Calabria said while the government’s electricity reform policy, the National Energy Guarantee, would provide great certainty for renewable projects such as this, Shoalhaven's expansion would not hinge on it.
"We will test a variety of scenarios for Shoalhaven because we don’t know when the National Energy Guarantee is coming in, we don’t know the timing," Mr Calabria said.
"We will also test a variety of scenarios including Liddell [leaving the market] and that will be one consideration for what we will look at but the project won’t turn on these."
The company announced two different potential plans for the expansion of its Shoalhaven facility on Monday and that it could invest up to $250 million at the cost of around $1 million a megawatt.
The first, cheaper, expansion option would add around 160 megawatts of additional pump storage capacity by building a new turbine generator and adding another pipe and tunnel to transport more water.
This option would fulfil the original stage two expansion that was planned for the site when the Shoalhaven facility was built in 1977.
During the initial construction, infrastructure was built to accommodate this expansion, however, it was never built and it was not considered economically viable until now, Origin said.
That had changed thanks to the growth of wind and solar power and the need for greater reliable power to support this more intermittent generation.
Maximise Efficiency and Cut Costs with Flexible Staffing Solutions
Navigating the construction industry's labour market can be complex and challenging. With every project, the need for skilled workers and dedicated staff is crucial. Finding the right construction staffing agency is paramount to ensure the success of your projects.
Australia's building, infrastructure, resources, and agribusiness sectors are booming, and the demand for skilled professionals has never been higher. At CELOTTI WORKFORCE , we provide first-rate on-hire, contract, and permanent staffing solutions that keep these vital industries moving forward. Our expertise in these areas ensures that businesses can thrive, adapt, and innovate in an ever-changing landscape.