As we approach the end of the year, our team at ATCO are happy to share an update on our continued efforts in relation to the Central West Pumped Hydro (CWPH) project.
Over 2023, ATCO has been able to steadily advance the status of the CWPH project.
In mid-2023, after making significant progress on the project’s development, we elected to defer the submission of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) from its originally anticipated schedule.
This was in part informed by the ambition of the newly elected NSW Government, and their intent to complement the existing delivery mechanisms to better support pumped hydro and projects well suited to meet the state’s energy needs.
Representatives from ATCO have attended and contributed to various workshops and roundtable events with the broader industry, the state government and its delivery bodies, to help inform renewables and long duration storage policy. ATCO views the opportunity to provide input on how best to bring large civil projects to market, such as CWPH, as a valuable opportunity to support the success of the NSW Energy Transition Roadmap.
In September, the NSW Budget confirmed $1 billion to establish the Energy Security Corporation, which will make investments in storage projects and address gaps in the current market. In the new year, ATCO expects the outcomes of a busy year of policy work to come to fruition, which will seek to renew support for all forms of renewables and storage required to accelerate the transition in the state.
In other news...
In parallel to the above work, ATCO has progressed targeted workstreams on CWPH, including ongoing engineering and design refinement in preparation for geotechnical
studies, and continual engagement with landowners, all levels of government and the local community. Our local presence means we continue to support the community in many ways, including providing sponsorship for a number of community events and programs, such as the Bathurst BizMonth business lunch, Boys to the Bush, Veritas House, Bathurst Early Childhood Intervention Services, the Shepherd Centre, Bathurst Uniting Support Services and the Bathurst Men’s Walk and Talk group.
We were also delighted to attend the celebrations at Yetholme in November, recognising the amazing commitment to the community by long standing residents, Norm and Anne Bromfield. Congratulations Norm and Anne!
The application round for the 2024 ATCO Communities Fund was recently held. Community groups and not-for-profit organisations from the Bathurst, Lithgow and Oberon areas were invited to apply for funding to deliver community initiatives and programs that promote healthy, sustainable and prosperous communities.
We look forward to announcing the successful applicants in the new year.
Keep up to date
We have multiple ways to keep up to date with the project status, in addition to this e-newsletter.
There will be more opportunities to meet with the ATCO team with more Community Open Days scheduled for 2024.
In addition, a series of webinars is planned to provide information about specific aspects of CWPH. Details will be shared in the new year.
Current information is available on the CWPH website at www.centralwestpumpedhydro.com or reach out to us at centralwesthydro@atco.com or by phone: 1800 94 79 79.
As always, you can also pop in for a chat in person at ATCO’s office at 1-52 Keppel Street, Bathurst. The office will close over the Christmas break, re-opening on 8 January 2024. We look forward to welcoming you to the office which is opened Mondays - Thursdays during business hours.
Seasons Greetings
The team at ATCO wish you and your family a happy and healthy holiday season. Stay safe and well, and enjoy this time with family and friends.
We look forward to keeping you up to date with the CWPH project in new year and are excited for what lies ahead. We wish you a prosperous 2024.
