The Oven Mountain Pumped Hydro Storage Project has been declared a Critical State Significant Infrastructure project by the NSW Government.
The off-river development will provide clean energy generation and storage capabilities, ensuring a reliable, resilient, and renewable future energy supply. Committed to delivering the best outcome for the community and the region, the closed-loop storage system does not dam or divert rivers to limit the impact on local water use and protect sensitive ecosystems.
The project aims to use excess renewable energy to pump water uphill from a lower reservoir to a higher one. It will then release the water back downhill through a turbine to generate electricity when energy demand is high.
The Oven Mountain project is located in the Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) in the New England region, approximately 60km southeast of Armidale and 70km northwest of Kempsey, via the Kempsey-Armidale Road.
The project is bordered by the Macleay River to the west and Carrai Tablelands to the east. Oxley Wild Rivers National Park, Carrai National Parks and Carrai Conservation Area surround the property, with the New England National Park approximately 1km to the northwest.
The Oven Mountain Pumped Hydro Storage Project would become one of Australia’s most significant energy storage projects, with the following potential benefits:
- Delivering a clean, reliable, and renewable energy supply for NSW
- Creating up to 600 jobs, pending approval, construction will span over four years and, with up to 50 ongoing jobs to operate and maintain the facility
- Upgrades to existing local and regional roads, allowing for safer access for emergency services, fire management, tourism, and environmental and heritage work
- Increased power and mobile telecommunications infrastructure for the community
Good Energy Minds (GEM) have been hired by the Oven Mountain Pumped Hydro Storage Project management to consult with First Nations People to ensure that the project respects and addresses their rights and interests to deliver key benefits for future generations.
GEM undertakes various consultation activities, including meetings with Traditional Owners, community meetings, and engagement with Local Aboriginal Land Councils (LALCs), peak bodies and other key project stakeholders.
The consultation process has involved discussing the project’s potential impacts on Indigenous cultural heritage and values and developing strategies to manage and mitigate these impacts. The project developers have committed to providing employment, training, and economic opportunities for First Nations People during construction, ongoing maintenance, and operations.
As part of the consultation process, a Cultural Heritage Management Plan is also being developed in consultation with the local Indigenous communities to guide the management and protection of Indigenous cultural heritage.
Overall, the consultation process with First Nations People is ongoing, and the project developers are committed to continuing to engage with Indigenous communities throughout the development and operation of the project.
