Big-T Pumped Hydropower Energy Storage project

Status

EIS active

Jobs

350 (construction) + 10 (operational)

Investment

$1.3 billion

Project overview*

EIS statusEIS active
Description Development of a pumped hydropower energy storage project with the capacity to generate up to 400 megawatts (MW) of continuous electricity for 10 hours per day, and a battery energy storage system with a capacity of 200 megawatt hours (MWh)
Proponent Cressbrook Project Co Pty Ltd as Trustee for Big-T Unit Trust
Location/s

Approximately 45km north-east of Toowoomba.

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Local government/s Toowoomba Regional Council and Somerset Regional Council
Investment Up to $1.3 billion
Key features
  • new upper reservoir located on Mt Sevastopol
  • underground water conveyances and intake/outlet infrastructure connecting the water conveyances between the upper reservoir and existing Lake Cressbrook (lower reservoir)
  • underground power station cavern, housing two 200 megawatt reversible turbines and access tunnel
  • 15km underground double-circuit 275 kilovolt transmission line and a new switching station
  • evacuation and ventilation tunnel
  • upgrade of Sebastapool and Three Mile Roads and new 3km access road to the tunnel portals and lower intake
  • a battery energy storage system
Construction start date TBC
Jobs
  • 350 (construction)
  • 10 (operational)

* Project information supplied by proponent and subject to change.

Environmental impact statement (EIS) process

DateActivity
Currently Draft EIS being prepared by proponent.
25 September 2024 The Coordinator-General stated a new project declaration lapse date of 30 April 2026.
20 April 2023 Terms of reference for an EIS (PDF icon 1.7 MB) released.
21 January 2023 to 22 February 2023 Draft terms of reference (PDF icon 2.4 MB) for EIS public consultation.
30 September 2022 Gazettal (PDF icon 225 KB) of 'coordinated project' declaration.
15 July 2022 Application, including final initial advice statement (PDF icon 8.3 MB), submitted.
22 March 2022 Australian Minister for the Environment decided the project is a ‘controlled action’.

A project that has the potential to have a significant impact on matters of national environmental significance is called a 'controlled action' and requires approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth).

Further information

Read more about the EIS process.

Last updated: 2 April 2026

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