The New South Wales Government has approved the A$1.8bn(US$1.2bn) Stratford Pumped Hydro and Solar project, which will redevelop a former coal mine into a renewable energy facility in the Gloucester Valley.
The project, developed by Gloucester Coal Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of Yancoal Australia Limited, will be built at the former Stratford Mining Complex, where coal mining operations ended in 2024. The site is located about 100km north of Newcastle.
The development includes a 300MW pumped storage hydropower station with 12 hours of energy storage and a 320MW solar farm. Water will be transferred between a new upper reservoir and an existing mine dam through a tunnel, with the initial reservoir filled using water already on the mine site.
The facility is forecast to deliver around 13% of New South Wales’ 2034 long-duration energy storage target, and is expected to create up to 350 construction jobs and 10 permanent positions. A Voluntary Planning Agreement with Mid Coast Council will provide around A$18.2 million over the life of the project for community and infrastructure projects.
“This is exactly what planning for the future looks like,” said Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley. “We are taking a former mine site and giving it a new purpose powering up to 120,000 homes across New South Wales.
“This is a major vote of confidence in our region. We have the land, infrastructure, and skilled workforce needed to deliver the next generation of major energy projects.”
The Stratford project was declared Critical State Significant Infrastructure in June 2024 and forms part of the New South Wales Government’s Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap, which aims to support the state’s transition from coal-fired generation while maintaining energy security.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said: “This is the first pumped hydro project to secure final planning approval in NSW in 6 years. It’s a sign of our commitment to a clean energy future and the beginnings of an evolution of jobs and energy generation in the Hunter to power homes and businesses.
“Projects like Stratford Pumped Hydro also show how we can make the most of former mining sites and create new jobs and industry which will help to drive the region’s economic growth for decades to come.”
The approval follows broader efforts to expand renewable energy infrastructure in New South Wales. Since March 2023, the state government has approved 52 renewable energy projects, while more than 57 renewable generation, storage and transmission projects remain under assessment.
The Hunter region is also playing an increasing role in the energy transition through the Port of Newcastle, which is handling imports of renewable energy infrastructure including wind turbine components, solar panels and battery energy storage systems.
“The Port of Newcastle is the mouth that feeds the state’s transition to renewable energy,” commented Member for Newcastle Tim Crackanthorp. “This project is a great glimpse into NSW energy future, reusing a former mining site for new and innovative renewable energy technologies.”
