The Nature Conservation Council has welcomed plans to create a new hydro-electricity facility on the edge of Lithgow in the state’s central west.
“Energy Australia’s plans to establish a pumped hydro-electricity facility near Lithgow will help the city maintain its position as a key player in the state’s electricity sector,” Nature Conservation Council Chief Executive Chris Gambian said.
“This is the latest in a series of exciting developments for Lithgow over the past 12 months, including plans for a grid-scale big battery and an eco-precinct on the old Wallerawang power site, and a push to establish an electric bus manufacturing plant in the city.
“These are the sorts of initiatives Lithgow needs to prosper as the economy moves past coal-fired power to clean, renewable wind and solar.”
Energy Australia proposes to pump water from Lake Lyell to a reservoir it plans to build high on the side of Mount Walker, west of Lithgow.
During times of peak power demand, water will be released from the reservoir to drive electricity turbines before returning to Lake Lyell.
Recent developments and announcements for Lithgow
- Big battery. Neon is building a big battery on the site of the decommissioned Wallerawang power station site. [1]
- Eco-precinct. An eco-precinct is also planned for the Wallerawang power station site. [2]
- Bus manufacturing. The Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils is lobbying to establish an electric bus manufacturing plant in Lithgow. [3]
- Pumped hydro. Energy Australia announces plans for pumped hydro. [4]
References
[1] Neoen plans massive 500MW big battery west of Sydney, 11-1-2021, RenewEconomy
[2] Bettergrow's exclusive agreement for Wallerawang Power Station site extended, 3-4-19, Lithgow Mercury.
[3] Why regional NSW could emerge as a hotspot for electric bus manufacturing, 8-10-21, The Driven
Electric Dreams: Local EV bus manufacture needs investment vision, 8-2-21, Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils
[4] EnergyAustralia excited about pumped hydro possibility near Mt Piper, 3-6-21, Energy Australia