Hide message
EnergyAustralia’s proposed Lake Lyell Pumped Hydro Project, near Lithgow in New South Wales, has been declared as Critical State Significant Infrastructure (CSSI) by the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces.
CSSI projects are high-priority infrastructure initiatives that are essential to the state for economic, social, or environmental reasons.
EnergyAustralia’s Lake Lyell Pumped Hydro Project Director, Mike de Vink, said, “We’re pleased that the project has been recognised for its crucial contribution to the state’s development and ongoing energy security.
“The pumped hydro project will provide essential energy storage for New South Wales, helping keep the lights on as we transition to renewables to reduce carbon emissions. We thank the NSW Government for recognising Lake Lyell’s important role as part of the transition.
“Having CSSI status does not reduce the amount of investigative work or technical studies required. EnergyAustralia will keep releasing more information on the project as we progress environmental and other studies as part of the project’s Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
“We will continue to work closely with the Lithgow community, including Traditional Owners, to ensure the successful development of the project.
“We will also continue work on benefits sharing with the community. This will involve identifying specific areas for investment that can deliver meaningful economic and social benefits to the region if the Lake Lyell project proceeds.”
The Lake Lyell Pumped Hydro project is in the feasibility stage with a decision on proceeding likely in the second half of 2025. The project would be built entirely on EnergyAustralia owned land and will not require any new transmission lines to be built.
The project has a proposed capacity of 335 megawatts for up to eight hours, with flexible capacity of more than 400 megawatts for a shorter duration, providing energy for at least 150,000 homes.
For media enquiries: Jacinta Smith, Jacinta.smith@energyaustralia.com.au