The Australian operation of French state-owned energy giant EDF has formed a joint venture (JV) with EnergyAustralia to “develop and deliver” the 385 MW/3.08 GWh Lake Lyell Pumped Hydro Energy Storage project, in NSW.

EDF will own 75% of the JV with Hong Kong-owned utility EnergyAustralia holding the balance and having first option on the electricity to be provided by the PHES, which the partners said would be enough electricity to power more than 250,000 NSW homes.

EnergyAustralia, which selected EDF Power Solutions Australia as partner after a competitive process, expects environmental impact submissions for the site, in Lithgow, this year and a final investment decision late next year.

The latest announcement relating to the project cited a larger capacity than the 335 MW/2.68 GWh previously reported.\

Mark Collette, managing director of EnergyAustralia, said, “Our purpose is to lead and accelerate the clean energy transformation for all. The LL [Lake Lyell] PHES project is a major initiative as part of this transition, providing [energy] storage that will firm renewable [electricity supply]. We recognize pumped hydro requires unique expertise to ensure it is developed and delivered efficiently while considering the best interests of the local community and the wider state of NSW. This partnership will enable both EnergyAustralia and EDF Power Solutions Australia to lend their expertise to the continued development of this important project.”\

EDF said it owns and operates more than 20 GW of global hydro sites and is developing “many gigawatts,” including leading the 300 MW/3 GWh Dungowan PHES, in Tamworth, NSW.

CLP Group-owned EnergyAustralia said it has invested “hundreds of millions of dollars” into its Mount Piper coal-fired power station, also in NSW, and is developing a “major” utility scale battery there.