The Government of the Australian State of Queensland has abandoned the development of a 5 GW pumped-storage hydropower project that was originally planned to be built on Queensland’s central coast (Australia). The Pioneer-Burdekin pumped hydro project would have offered long-duration energy storage (LDES) over a 24-hour discharge duration (120 GWh). The project would have been the world’s largest pumped-storage hydropower plant.
The new Queensland Government has cited cost increases to justify the abandonment of the project. The hydropower project was originally expected to cost AUD12bn (US$7.9bn), but a treasury analysis completed by State authorities said the cost would increase to AUD36.8bn (US$24.2bn). The State Government now instead plans to build multiple, smaller pumped-storage hydro plants at yet-to-be-decided locations.
In 2023, the previous Queensland administration had released a draft version of its Energy Bill 2023 setting a target for renewables in power generation of 50% by 2030, 70% by 2032, and 80% by 2035. The state aims to reach net zero emissions by 2050.
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