WT25-19/20 Expression of Interest - New Energy Generation Project

Summary and scope

Council has investigated the use of its dams and land to generate electricity since 2003. Council commissioned a prefeasibility report in 2004 for a pumped hydro energy scheme, which concluded that an energy project associated with the use of Cressbrook Dam was technically viable, but not commercially feasible due to the prevailing market conditions and finance constraints at the time of the study. On 28 May 2019 the Commonwealth Government announced the Underwriting New Generation Investments (UNGI) program, which aims to provide support to facilitate the development of new renewable energy generation capacity. The Commonwealth has progressed to the registration of interest phase of the program and intends to commence support at the beginning of the 19/20 financial year with the program to remain open for four years until June 2023. A number of interested parties have approached Council, seeking interest in the use of Council’s land and water to develop new energy projects. In July 2019 Council resolved to use a two stage EOI process as the preferred way forward for interested parties to approach Council for the transparent provision of access to Council land and water. Council will assess, identify and select the proposal that provides the best commercial outcome at lowest risk to Council’s operations.