Case Study
Phoenix Pumped Hydro Project
800 MW long-duration pumped hydro storage providing up to 15 hours of dispatchable renewable energy for NSW's grid.
Project Overview
The Phoenix Pumped Hydro is an 800 MW long-duration energy storage project under development about 35 km west of Mudgee, NSW. This pumped hydro facility will provide up to 12–15 hours of storage, using two purpose-built reservoirs with a 350 m elevation difference.
Selected under the NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap's long-duration storage initiative, Phoenix received a Long Term Energy Service Agreement in 2025. Once built, it will act as a giant battery—able to deliver 800 MW overnight, firming the region's wind and solar generation.
Key Metrics
- Generation Capacity: 800 MW
- Storage Duration: 12-15 hours
- Elevation Difference: 350 m
- LTESA Secured: 2025
My Role
I lead the planning team for the Phoenix Pumped Hydro feasibility and pre-construction phase:
- Developing comprehensive feasibility schedules covering geotechnical investigations, environmental studies, and design development
- Breaking down the plan into work streams (civil works, tunneling, underground powerhouse, transmission)
- Mapping critical path items like long-lead turbine procurement
- Coordinating with government stakeholders on progress reporting
Challenges & Solutions
A major focus is coordinating with government stakeholders—the project is backed by state grants and requires rigorous progress reporting. I utilise a calm and systematic planning approach to manage these moving parts.
When obtaining the LTESA, I scheduled scenario analyses to demonstrate on-time delivery under various funding timelines. By proactively solving problems—such as re-sequencing early works to accommodate seasonal constraints—I ensure the project stays on its ambitious track.