Oven Mountain Pumped Hydro Energy Storage project

The Oven Mountain Pumped Hydro Energy Storage project is a proposed 600MW ‘off river’ development located on private land near the Macleay River between Armidale and Kempsey.

The group behind the proposal, Oven Mountain Pumped Storage, in partnership with Alinta Energy, has started work to investigate the project and seek government approval. This includes engineering and environmental investigations.

The NSW Government has identified this project as critical state significant infrastructure under the State Environmental Planning Policy (State and Regional Development) 2011, which means there is potential for an expedited planning pathway.

Potential environmental impacts

An Environmental Impact Statement is required as part of the approval pathway. The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment prescribes the requirements for this as part of the Planning Secretary’s environmental assessment requirements.

Kempsey Shire Council recognises the potential opportunities of the project but notes the need for a comprehensive environmental assessment for a project of this scale and complexity.

Stakeholder consultation

The group behind the proposal is continuing stakeholder consultation, and this will involve the Macleay Valley community in the coming months.

More information

General information on the project can be found on the Oven Mountain Pumped Hydro Energy Storage website.