Hells Gates Pumped Storage Hydro Scheme

In January 2021, as part of the Hells Gates Dam Business Case the Hells Gates Pumped Storage Project Feasibility report was delivered to the Queensland and Federal Government. This is a Pumped Hydro Storage system that can generate up to 808MW that is intended to integrate into the National Electricity Grid to secure reliable power for North Queensland. It will be located in Northern Queensland, within the Charters Towers Local Government Area (LGA), approximately 120km north of Charters Towers. 

The proposed Hells Gates Pumped Storage Business Case will be built upon the Hells Gates Pumped Storage Project Feasibility Report. This proposed Business Case establishes and assesses the need, benefits and affordability of the Hells Gates Pumped Storage scheme to enable governments and private equity partners to make informed investment decisions regarding the project. The Business Case will identify the construction timeline and jobs together with the economic benefit analysis for the North Queensland region.  

Contributing to the energy transition from coal to renewables by helping to stabilise the grid (super battery) and support significant additional solar/wind in the North. It has the potential to create job opportunities in construction and operation and further skills training in construction and management, which will create an economic benefit to the North Queensland region with a positive impact on employment and new industries that are attracted by reliable green power. The feasibility report indicates the project has a strong financial base to produce cost effective high demand green power with strong Returns on Investment that is expected to attract strong interest from the private sector.