The Queensland Premier announced that more than 5km of core samples have been collected from the Pioneer-Burdekin pumped hydro project. To date, more than 50 boreholes have been drilled on the State Government’s signature energy project.
Building a comprehensive understanding of geotechnical conditions at an early stage of the Pioneer-Burdekin project will help to refine project design, minimise the geological and construction risk profile, and reduce delivery timeframes.
The project is currently in the initial investigation phase of technical studies, including front-end engineering design. Geotechnical, environmental, cultural, social, and economic investigations are being undertaken to inform the Detailed Analytical Report (DAR).
“My government is dedicated to delivering cheaper, cleaner energy, and our commitment to the Pioneer-Burdekin project is rock solid,” Queensland Premier, Steven Miles, said.
“With every drill and borehole, Pioneer-Burdekin powers up more regional jobs for small businesses like Twin Hills Engineering and Drilling, which will benefit the community for decades.”
The project is entering its next phase, and publicly-owned energy company Queensland Hydro has confirmed structurally solid granite throughout the site.
“This milestone represents critical progress in our understanding of the Pioneer-Burdekin Project site and will support a robust assessment of the project through the Detailed Analytical Report (DAR), which is due to the Queensland Government by the end of 2024,” Queensland Hydro Chief Executive Officer, Kieran Cusack, said.
“I’d also like to thank and recognise the landowners in the project footprint who have granted access to their properties for this drilling, as well as the surrounding communities who have supported our project team and contractor partners.”
The Pioneer-Burdekin Project will store the excess energy collected from Australia’s world-leading levels of household solar for use at night when the sun isn’t shining, the wind isn’t blowing, and energy usage is at its peak.
It’s expected to support thousands of jobs and boost the local Mackay economy by billions of dollars.
“This nation-leading project will ensure we lock in a clean economy future for Queensland’s industrial heartland,” Mr Miles said.
“Reaching this 5km geotechnical milestone proves that we’re not just planning for the future – we’re delivering it.”
Local company Twin Hills Engineering and Drilling, which is undertaking the works, estimates it is injecting more than $20,000 a week into the Mackay region through purchases related to the project.
“We’re going gangbusters. This project has put us in a whole new space, allowing us to start working in the renewable energy industry and diversify our business,” Twin Hills Engineering and Drilling Owner and Managing Director, Stephen Burt, said.
“We’ve employed 12 new people directly and a further 10 indirectly.”
Additionally, independent modelling estimates Queensland’s north and outback regions will be boosted by $240 billion and 84,000 additional jobs if Queensland reaches net zero by 2050.
The pumped-hydro project will also be critical in enabling Queensland to meet its legislated renewable energy and emissions reduction targets. Queensland Hydro’s analysis demonstrates that it will directly avoid up to seven million tonnes of CO2 emissions each year.
“Pumped hydro is the powerhouse solution for energy storage, promising lower bills and cheaper electricity when and where it’s needed most,” Minister for Energy and Clean Economy Jobs, Mick de Brenni, said.
“Mackay locals are already reaping the benefits of the clean energy boom Pioneer-Burdekin will deliver, with thousands of dollars of investment supercharging the local economy each week.”
As a large-scale civil construction project, Pioneer-Burdekin will spend most of its money on Australian-sourced labour and materials, benefiting the regional, Queensland, and Australian economies.
Prospective suppliers are already gearing up for this once-in-a-generation investment in the Mackay, Whitsundays, and Issac regions. Nearly 600 Australian businesses, including over 60 from the local region, have registered their interest in the project.
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