Alinta Energy drops Oven Mountain pumped hydro plans
The proposed A$1.8 billion development in northern NSW has been deemed unviable, with Alinta citing economic and timing difficulties.
Plans for the 900 megawatt Oven Mountain pumped hydro scheme in northern NSW have been withdrawn by Alinta Energy. The company said economic difficulties and scheduling problems affecting key infrastructure, including a critical transmission line, had made the A$1.8 billion development unviable.
NSW Planning was assessing the proposal for consideration as a state significant development. Located near Georges Junction at Carrai, it was among the largest developments proposed for the Armidale Renewable Energy Zone.
The withdrawal follows another cancellation in October: Origin Energy's proposed 870 megawatt Skye Ridge Wind Farm near Walcha.
Armidale Shire Mayor Sam Coupland questioned whether planning requirements imposed by state and federal authorities had become too burdensome. He said the council had worked for several years with Alinta to prepare supporting roadworks.
Arthur Bain, Kempsey deputy mayor and chief executive of the Thunggutti Local Aboriginal Land Council, said the community would have mixed feelings. While the steep landscape was suited to hydro generation, he said its remoteness made the economics difficult.
Green Energy Markets director Tristan Edis said battery storage had become cheaper rapidly, while civil construction costs had increased. He said pumped hydro could operate for between eight and 24 hours daily, but its construction costs were significantly higher than those of batteries.
