
ZEN Energy is excited to commence feasibility studies and community consultation for the Western Sydney Pumped Hydro project.
WaterNSW has granted ZEN access to Lake Burragorang, Sydney’s largest water storage, to conduct numerous investigations to determine the viability of building a 1,000 megawatt pumped hydro project. To be allowed access, WaterNSW had to first be satisfied a pumped hydro project would not damage water quality.
Subject to planning and environmental approvals, as well as community support, we believe construction could commence in 2027. Western Sydney Pumped Hydro could then be supplying 500,000 homes and businesses with on-demand renewable electricity by 2031.
Large capacity renewable energy storage projects such as Western Sydney Pumped Hydro will significantly contribute to the security and reliability of Sydney’s and NSW’s energy supply, aligning with the NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap.
An industry-leading $1 million per year Community Benefits Scheme will be created. Community consultation will also include co-design of aspects of the project.
THE PROJECT’S KEY BENEFITS




HOW DOES THE PROJECT WORK?
Pumped hydro technology is a ‘closed loop’ system, meaning water is cycled between a necessary lower and upper reservoir to store and then generate clean electricity. It also means no water is lost from Lake Burragorang, Sydney’s largest water storage.
The site of the project is also important. Not only will ZEN make best use of an old coal washery to construct, seal and line the necessary upper reservoir, an elevation of 400m between reservoirs also ensures efficient energy storage.
The project will not cause any inundation of Lake Burragorang’s shoreline or affect water levels.
Western Sydney Pumped Hydro is a proposed 1,000 megawatt renewable energy generation and storage project that would supply 500,000 homes and businesses with on-demand power at peak use times, for up to 16 continuous hours.
Lake Burragorang, on Gundungarra Country, already serves Sydneysiders with clean drinking water, but soon could provide them with reliable clean energy as well.
Much of the project will be underground, making use of degraded land that has been cleared, dug up and then remediated over many decades. This makes the site ideal for the project, preventing impacts on biodiversity and remaining clear of conservation areas.
ZEN will take on responsibility for the ongoing rehabilitation of the site, which was formerly a coal washery at Nattai and also ensure the water quality of nearby Lake Burragorang is safeguarded, serving as the necessary lower reservoir from which water will be pumped up through underground tunnels to an upper reservoir, situated on the old coal washery site.
The project site is 24km away from Warragamba Dam and the treatment of Sydney’s drinking water. The operation of Western Sydney Pumped Hydro will produce no change to water levels in Lake Burragorang and will not cause any flooding of the shoreline or surrounding natural environment.

PROJECT TIMELINE
CONSULTATION PHASE
It is very early – and exciting – days of the proposed project.
Our project team has initiated numerous studies, community and stakeholder consultations, and design development.
Our commitment to transparency is vital. We will continue to share the development process and the project’s design and benefits with locals, including Traditional Owners, Wollondilly Council, and other key stakeholders.
By working together, we ensure that local needs and concerns are addressed, making the project more inclusive and tailored to the community’s needs.
CONSTRUCTIONS COULD BEGIN IN 2027
The construction phase starts with community and stakeholder support, investigations and approvals.
Regular updates and open communication continue, informing everyone about progress, upcoming activities, and any potential impacts throughout the project.
OPERATIONAL BY 2031 (EST.)
The project could come online in 2031, delivering reliable, on-demand, clean energy to supply 500,000 homes and businesses with on-demand power at peak use times.