ACEN Australia has announced a step forward for its proposed 800MW Phoenix Pumped Hydro project, with geotechnical investigations now actively underway on-site.
The investigations, which include drilling, test pits excavations, and in situ and laboratory testing, mark a pivotal phase in the project's design, aimed at understanding the subsurface geological intricacies.
Located 35km west of Mudgee, the Phoenix project is within the NSW Government's Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ). With several renewable energy generators including wind and solar proposed within the REZ, the Phoenix project will help deliver the long term, large-scale energy storage needed.
The project is being supported by the NSW Government through WaterNSW’s Renewable Energy and Storage Program, and Pumped Hydro Recoverable Grants Program by EnergyCo.
The project will be subject to environmental and other relevant approvals.