Leading global engineering and consulting firm Golder, a member of WSP, has been appointed by integrated energy and infrastructure solutions provider ATCO to deliver engineering and environmental consulting services for the proposed Central West Pumped Hydro Project in New South Wales, Australia.
Pumped hydro plays a key role to support grid stability in markets with increasing penetration of renewables, reducing the challenges created by the intermittent nature of renewable energy generation. Located at near Yetholme, approximately two hours west of Sydney, the 325 MW Central West Pumped Hydro Project will be able to store and deliver 2,600 MWh for a period of up to eight hours, providing low-cost, long-duration energy storage.
For 30 years ATCO has been investing in alternative and renewable energy solutions, and continues to respond to disruption in the energy sector through projects using new technologies and business models to provide energy solutions for a low carbon future.
“We’re delighted to have been engaged by ATCO as a trusted earth and environmental consulting partner to support the proposed Central West Pumped Hydro Project,” said Tara Kennedy, Renewables Sector Lead at Golder. “This new engagement follows the successful delivery of our work on the Goat Hill Pumped Hydro project, another important part of the portfolio of pumped storage hydro projects developed by Altura Group to support the growing supply of renewables into the Australian energy market.”
Golder’s scope in the project includes the delivery of the Environmental Impact Statement and associated planning and approvals including ecological and hydrological impact assessments. The firm is also undertaking geotechnical site investigations, data analysis and reporting to inform the project reference design.
“We recognise that pumped hydro storage is a key priority for the NSW government as it will help achieve its net zero emissions target by 2050,” said Craig Curnow, Golder’s Regional Leader in NSW. “Golder is well positioned to support this transition by providing specialised services for pumped hydro and renewables clients.”
Golder delivers engineering and environmental consulting services to enable the development and construction of major renewable energy projects. Some of these projects include Coppabella Wind Farm in New South Wales, Kingaroy Wind and Solar Farm in Queensland, Dundonnell Wind Farm in Victoria, Agnew Mine Renewable Energy Project in Western Australia, Lincoln Gap Wind Farm in South Australia, and the Ramu 2 run-of-river 180 MW hydroelectric scheme in the eastern highlands of Papua New Guinea.
