The Pioneer-Burdekin pumped hydro project in Queensland has reached a new milestone, with more than 50 boreholes drilled so far.
Queensland Premier Steven Miles made the announcement noting that more than five kilometres of core samples have been collected.
“With every drill and borehole, Pioneer-Burdekin powers up more regional jobs for small businesses like Twin Hills Engineering and Drilling, with benefits to the community to continue for decades to come,” Miles said.
“This nation-leading project will ensure we lock in a clean economy future for Queensland’s industrial heartland.
“Reaching this 5km geotechnical milestone is proof that we’re not just planning for the future—we’re delivering it.”
Queensland Hydro’s Pioneer-Burdekin Project will store the excess energy collected from household solar, for use at night when the sun isn’t shining, the wind isn’t blowing and when energy usage is at its peak.
Mackay company Twin Hills Engineering and Drilling is undertaking the works and estimates they are injecting more than $20,000 a week into the region through purchases relating to the project.
The pumped-hydro project will also play a critical role in enabling Queensland to meet its legislated renewable energy and emissions reductions targets, with analysis by Queensland Hydro demonstrating it will directly avoid up to seven million tonnes of CO2 emissions each year.
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