We understand that you may have compiled some questions about the Project. We encourage you to contact us directly, or subscribe to receive regular updates on how the Project is progressing and our community initiatives.
The development planning period for the Project commenced in 2020 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2023.
Subject to the completion of detailed environmental studies and regulatory approvals being in place, construction would commence in 2024, and last for an additional three to four years. The intention is for the facility to be operational by 2028.
$500million+.
Storage technologies are considered essential renewable energy infrastructure. Pumped hydro, like the Central West Project, works like a large battery. It works by pumping water to an upper reservoir when there is an excess of renewable energy, such as when the sun is shining and wind is blowing.
This energy is then stored, ready to generate energy at the times of the day it is most needed.
Pumped hydro typically operates in a daily cycle, pumping when there is an excess of renewable energy, such as in the middle of the day, generating energy at the times of the day when demand is high, typically around breakfast and dinner time.
Pumped hydro will be an important part of NSW energy future, providing important services to maintain a stable and reliable electricity grid.
Pumped hydro is the most common and most efficient method for the long term storage of energy. Pumped hydro has long been recognised as both a very efficient and effective part of electricity systems, balancing times of low and high electricity supply from variable energy sources, whilst also assisting grid reliability and stability.
This is increasingly important in regions where intermittent renewables (large scale wind and solar farms) produce a large proportion of the region’s electricity consumption.
As more electricity is needed to pump the water up the hill than is produced moving the water down the hill, the facility is a net user of electricity. However, these plants are incredibly efficient (at around 80%) and can be made available in only a matter of minutes, making it very competitive with other energy storage options such as battery storage.
While there is some efficiency loss, storage technologies allow us to use renewable energy generated in the middle of the day at other times. Without storage, this energy might otherwise be wasted.
The Central West Pumped Hydro Project is located on Wiradjuri land, some 20km south-east of Bathurst and 4km south of Yetholme.
Bathurst Regional Council.
The Project is located on private land, close to existing electricity infrastructure.
The local topography is ideally suited for the efficient storage and transfer of water, which means electricity can be generated efficiently, and does not affect prime agricultural land or any nature reserves.
The NSW Government has signalled that over the next 15 years, four of the five coal fired power stations which currently provide around three quarters of the State’s energy supply, will retire.
Intermittent renewable energy including solar and wind generation will, in large part, replace this lost generation. However, the variability of generation from renewable sources, can create challenges in the electricity system.
We need investment in all forms of storage technologies; namely ones that are efficient over short time frames, like batteries, and ones that are efficient over longer duration, like pumped hydro. This allows us to ‘even out’ all types of fluctuations ingeneration that occurs on the electricity grid, and to provide essential network services that help stability the system.
Additionally, storage projects like Central West Pumped Hydro provide a demand sink for electricity that is often generated at low cost in the middle of the day. More storage allows more renewables to be economic, contributing to lower emissions and mitigating the onset of climate change.
Development of pumped hydro projects like Central West Pumped Hydro facilitate the development of variable renewable energy (such as wind and solar).
When completed, the Project will store energy during periods of surplus electricity generation and generate energy during periods of high demand using the stored energy under a daily cycle regime.
Approximately three years.
Frying Pan Creek is a tributary creek flowing into the Fish River and currently flows through the valley where the lower reservoir is proposed to be located.
One of the Project requirements is to ensure a transparent flow of Frying Pan Creek, meaning the flow of the Creek will be maintained, with water passing through to the lower reaches of Frying Pan Creek, without being retained by the Project. As a result, downstream users should see no difference to the flow of water through Frying Pan Creek.
It is expected that the mixing of the water between the upper and lower reservoirs (expected to be daily) will be sufficient to enable the water to be well oxygenated.
This is generally unlike other reservoirs that often have waterbodies ‘standing still’ leading to thermoclines (temperature differences through the water column) and deoxygenated water. The Project will be required to meet strict water quality criteria by government regulatory bodies.
It is not anticipated there will be any deterioration in water quality downstream of the reservoir. This will be fully investigated as part of the detailed site investigations and studies to be undertaken during the development stage of the Project.
The preferred water source for the Project is from the Fish River. Detailed studies by independent technical experts are being completed during the development stage of the Project.
Downstream landowners and water users have existing licences and domestic and stock water rights, which also exist alongside with environmental flows. These water users and environmental flows will be fully considered as part of the detailed site investigations and studies to be undertaken in the development stage of the Project.
The Project's potential water strategy will fully consider the results of the detailed site investigations and studies, ensuring protection of the environment and other water users entitlements.
The intention is to divert the flow of Frying Pan Creek around the construction areas to enable water to ‘pass through’ the area and continue downstream, both preserving flows and maintaining water quality. The detail of this work will be undertaken with the construction contractor.
Yes, these inputs will be included in the Frying Pan Creek pass through.
There is some historic degradation of the riparian areas along parts of the Frying Pan Creek. ATCO is investigating partnering with some downstream landowners, where there is the opportunity to remediate these riparian areas to improve the overall health of the creek.
No, we do not envisage a construction camp will be required.
During construction, some 200 jobs will be created. During operations, about 30 jobs are expected, with 15 of those jobs to be based locally.
As we progress the Project development, we will start to engage with the local contractor community. During project development we will be holding jobs and contracting sessions. An expression of interest will also be opened in the near future. Stay tuned.
The Project will be assessed under State and Federal Government regulations and will also be evaluated by the Department of Planning and Environment of NSW.
We will engage with the community, sharing information about the Project and seeking feedback to help shape the Project, before this process commences and throughout the entire lifespan of the Project development.
The State Government planning process involves the proponent (ATCO) to submit to the State Government a scoping report. This is a high level document describing the Project. The Government reviewed this document and consulted with other agencies to develop the Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs) for the Project.
The SEARs outline the assessment requirements for the Project and are valid for two years. These are publicly available on Department of Planning, and Environment’s major projects website, which you can access here.
The next phase is the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) developed in compliance with the SEARs. The EIS will then be submitted to the Government for assessment and determination. During the assessment process, a public exhibition period occurs, whereby you can provide submissions to the Government about the Project.
The submission of the detailed EIS to Government for assessment is expected to take place in mid-2023.
In the lead up to the EIS submission, will be engaging with the community, sharing information about the Project and seeking feedback to help shape the Project before submitting the EIS.
As part of the planning process, we are required to prepare a detailed Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that will be submitted to the NSW Government for assessment.
As part of this process, the government will undertake a public exhibition period. This normally takes approximately 28 days. During this period, you can view and make submissions about the Project.
We will keep the community updated on the planning process, and inform our readers when the exhibition period is on.
Over and above this formal process, we will undertake a number of community open days – we will advertise in the local media about these as well as provide updates on our web site.
We look forward to sharing with you more information about the Project and to receive your feedback.
Yes, we will be sharing lots of information with the community and seeking their feedback to help shape the Project.
We are looking forward to continually meeting with the community, having conversations to discuss the Project and seeking input on the development of long-term community initiatives, to contribute to the local area where we will live and work.
A number of community open days have been held with more being planned in the future – we will advertise in the local media about these as well as provide updates on our web site.
We look forward to sharing with you more information about the Project and to receive your feedback and ideas for long term community investment.
Yes, we will provide information from our various studies periodically on the website, and in our engagement with the community and stakeholders.
Through the EIS, ATCO has committed to utilising ‘fauna spotters’ prior to and during clearing activities. Fauna spotters undertake a range of activities aimed at reducing impacts to resident animals. Examples include inspecting habitat features (e.g. hollows) for animals and relocating them to adjacent areas. Areas identified with wombat burrows would be trapped and individuals moved to adjacent areas prior to disturbance.
For key species that were not found during baseline surveys in the Project Area and considered unlikely to occur, their habitats would still be inspected for their presence prior to disturbance, and if found, would be captured and relocated.
For other species, such as the Bathurst Copper Butterfly, where the feed plants cannot be avoided, prior to construction, it is proposed to translocate their feed plants to undisturbed areas. These ‘new patches’ would be supplemented by the planting of additional plants to help offset the disturbance.
During construction trenches would be routinely inspected for animals, with any trapped individuals carefully moved to surrounding areas.
For almost two years now, ATCO has undertaken baseline (or background) surface water and groundwater monitoring for a wide range of chemical parameters. This program focuses on the Project area, and the area immediately downstream. The program of testing not only assists the Project to understand the background water quality, but also what, if any, existing contamination or naturally elevated minerals are present in the water. This information will be presented in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
Impact assessments done for the Project as part of the EIS have not predicted any water quality impacts to surrounding landowners.
Nevertheless, prior to construction commencing, ATCO will contact landowners that are located in close proximity (<3km) of the main construction area (i.e. power house and reservoirs) to determine if they would like to be included in a broader surface water quality monitoring program prior to, and during construction.
As part of construction and operation, ATCO will continue to monitor water quality within and immediately around the Project area to confirm the Project does not impact water quality.
The EIS will include an assessment of the likely greenhouse gas impacts of the Project. The assessment will follow various government guidelines, and include measures to minimise emissions.
ATCO has compiled a range of studies to understand the likely carbon footprint of the CWPH Project, and the effect the Project can have on facilitating the decarbonisation of our energy supply, and therefore in turn, the decarbonisation of our homes and industries.
ATCO engaged Aurora Energy Research to better understand CWPH’s project economics.
As part of this analysis, Aurora Energy Research investigated CWPH’s forecast average emissions intensity of the energy which it consumes. This helps reveal the mix of renewables compared to carbon-intensive sources which are generating in real-time, when the CWPH is likely to be a load on the system (when it is pumping water up to the upper reservoir), and how this mix changes as more wind and solar connects to the network.
This analysis found that CWPH’s emissions intensity reduces significantly as the broader network decarbonises. The average emissions intensity of CWPH’s consumption (tCO2/MWh) is 0.36 in 2030, 0.10 in 2040, and 0.01 in 2050.
The analysis also identified ways in which CWPH will provide benefits to other renewable projects looking to connect to the grid in NSW and the Central West region.
This includes CWPH:
- putting downward pressure on time weighted average prices in NSW
- Significantly reducing the economic curtailment experienced by wind and solar projects in NSW by 19 per cent
- Unlocking approximately 60GWh of generation in the Central West Orana (CWO) and New England Renewable Energy Zones (REZs) between 2028 and 2031, as well as having a positive impact on the Marginal Loss Factors of renewables projects in all areas.
These results will be published in the coming months as development continues.
ATCO is also working with its contractor to explore and implement sustainable procurement and practices through the supply chain. Some of the initiatives being explored include procurement of low carbon or carbon neutral concrete, low carbon steel options, hybrid onsite generators during construction, and on-site reuse of spoil and rock for use in dam wall infrastructure and earthworks.
ATCO recognise the interest of the community in this matter, and as such, will look into ways to compile existing work in an accessible manner, as well as commissioning new analysis as required.
ATCO and our specialist consultants attended the Community Meeting in O’Connell convened by the local community group with the intention to provide an update on our Project proposal and to answer questions from the local community.
We attended in good faith to provide attendees with direct access to key members of the project team, along with specialist engineers and consultants.
Unfortunately, many of the people who were there didn’t get a chance to ask their questions, and indicated in their feedback that the Q&A style event was not an effective form of engagement.
A number of people have since contacted or visited the local ATCO office, expressing their disappointment in the way the meeting was ran and in the conduct of many of those in attendance, making sure we knew that this was not the way they wish their community to be represented.
As a result, ATCO’s community engagement moving forward will continue to focus on discussions with groups and people who wish to have constructive conversations about our proposed development. This engagement will be delivered through community open days, via meetings with individuals and groups, via the Project’s community e-newsletter and website, and through our local office at Bathurst.
The 28-day period for the EIS public consultation period is set by the Department of Planning and Environment (DPE). ATCO has no influence over the DPE’s processes or guidelines.
At the time of submission of the EIS, ATCO will advise the DPE that it has no objection to an extension of the public exhibition period of up to two weeks.
Dust and potential impacts on water supplies
Soil sampling across the Project Area has been undertaken. Results have indicated that there are no metal concentrations of concern.
Rock characterisation is still being undertaken, being further investigated as part of geotechnical (rock drilling/sampling) programs.
The generation of dust from soils and rock during the construction phases will be minimised by a wide range of techniques commonly used in industry.
Management measures would include, but are not limited to:
- minimising the area of disturbance and progressive rehabilitation of areas,
- sealing of higher traffic areas (i.e. the main access road),
- use of aggregate in parking areas,
- use of water sprays on dust generating surfaces (e.g. unsealed roads, laydown areas and product stockpiles),
- minimising dust from construction processes (e.g. water sprays on crushing plants,
- reducing the height of ‘product fall’ from conveyors),
- where required the use of stabilisers, such as hydro mulching,
A range of dust controls associated with blasting will also include:
- blast pattern size and design,
- use of covers on blast areas, and
- undertaking blasting under specific meteorological conditions.
As part of the construction dust management plan, monitoring of dust levels will be undertaken to provide a feedback mechanism to how well dust management measures are working, with additional controls applied if required (including the stopping of an activity where dust generation is not being controlled effectively).
Potential impacts on water supplies during construction
A number of site-specific construction techniques and management plans will be developed specifically aimed at implementing practices that avoid the potential pollution impacts to water ways from construction activities.
Management measures would include:
- diverting / isolating Frying Pan Creek from construction areas,
- storing any chemicals/fuels away from water ways in appropriately contained areas,
- managing and, if required, treating water derived from concrete areas, and
- implementation of fit-for-purpose sediment and erosion controls across the site, including the installation of appropriately designed sediment basins/traps, installation of sediment fences, stabilising disturbed areas and stockpiles, the use of rip-rap, clean stormwater diversion and reducing stormwater flow path lengths.
A water quality monitoring program will be implemented to confirm such practices avoid the pollution of waterways.
Preliminary engineering design work has been undertaken to incorporate energy dissipation on the immediate downstream side of the releases. This would also include erosion protection. This is an important area for the future detailed design, and we look forward to sharing more detail as it becomes available.
The upper reservoir is located atop a gently undulating ridge and is underlain by granite and the rocks of the crudine group.
Residual soils between 0.9m and 3.5m thick are reported in the area. Based on site investigations a deeper soil/weathered rock profile can be expected with the bedrock approximately 6m to 10m deep.
The Project is proposing to utilise rock excavated from the powerhouse and spillway areas to be re-used in the construction of the lower reservoir embankments. Preliminary analysis of rock samples collected from drilling has indicated that the rock should be suitable.
Additional geotechnical sampling and testing will be undertaken across a broader range of rock geology and rock depths to further investigate the mineralogy of the rock profile, and the likely management measures required.
This information will be published when the study is finalised.
The ATCO office is open Monday – Thursday from 9am – 5pm. As has been our approach since the office opened in October 2021, we are happy to make arrangements to meet with any individuals or groups outside of these hours during the period of the public consultation, and at any stage throughout the development of the project.
ATCO welcomes engagement with any interested groups, including Bathurst Community Climate Action Network in relation to the detailed hydrology report or other reports associated with the EIS.
Of note, ATCO has approached BCCAN group several times since mid-2022 requesting to meet with the Group to present the project overview, as well as the ecological, hydrology and biodiversity mitigation and management approaches. We have not received a response to these requests.
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Overview
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Timeline
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The siteWe value the input and feedback from the community and would love to hear from you.
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Bathurst Offices
1-52 Keppel Street
Bathurst
NSW 2795
Sydney Offices
Level 8/77 Castlereagh Street
Sydney
NSW 2000
The terms ‘Indigenous’ and ‘Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander’ and ‘First Nations’, when referenced in the Australian context all refer to the First people that inhabited Australia.
