How can Borumba be at the heart of our clean energy transformation? Hydro is how.

Lake Borumba is an existing man-made reservoir located near Imbil, around 45 minutes south-west of Gympie. It was identified over 40 years ago as a prime site for pumped hydro energy storage and sits on land owned by the Queensland Government. The proposed Borumba Project is designed to deliver clean, sustainable energy to Queenslanders – keeping the lights on when they’re needed most.

To maximise the potential of the site, the proposed construction would include a new dam wall to increase the size of the lower reservoir, a second reservoir built at a higher level, and an underground power station. Underground tunnels will connect the two reservoirs together. The proposed Borumba Project is a 2,000 MW facility.

Geological, environmental and social impact assessments are underway and, if approved, the Project is targeting first power in 2030.

The proposed Borumba Pumped Hydro Energy Storage Project is currently undergoing early works onsite while Queensland Hydro seeks important environmental and planning approvals. In 2023, Queensland Hydro submitted a Detailed Analytical Report to the Queensland Government following two years of investigations. In June 2023, the Queensland Government announced a $6 billion investment to progress the Project – subject to all necessary regulatory approvals.

The proposed Project will be delivered in two phases: exploratory works and main works. Each phase requires separate environmental and planning approvals to proceed. Queensland Hydro is currently seeking state and federal approvals for both phases.

For exploratory works, these are subject to assessment under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The Federal Minister for Environment will review Queensland Hydro’s application and make a decision on whether or not the works can proceed.

The proposed main works are also subject to assessment under the EPBC Act. They are also subject to assessment under the Queensland Government’s State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 (SDPWO Act). In December 2023, both the state and federal governments determined that the proposed works would be assessed via an integrated Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

The proposed Borumba Pumped Hydro Project is located within a potential renewable energy zone (REZ) – an area nominated by the Queensland Government where clean energy infrastructure can be strategically developed. This is an important part of the Queensland Government’s Energy and Jobs Plan.

To understand more about the purpose and locations of a potential REZ, take a look at the Department of Energy and Climate website.