Borumba Pumped Hydro Project

The proposed Borumba Pumped Hydro Project is a long duration pumped hydro energy storage system being developed at Lake Borumba and surrounding areas located in between Imbil, west of the Sunshine Coast, and Jimna in the Somerset region.

Pumped hydro energy storage has been used in electricity systems around the world for more than a century. It's a proven and reliable way to store large amounts of energy.

The site was identified more than 40 years ago in the 1980s as having significant potential for a pumped hydro scheme because of ideal topography, an existing reservoir, and geological stability. The proposed project site is on State land and is on the traditional country of the Kabi Kabi People.

As a multi-decade and intergenerational asset, the Borumba Project can provide long-duration energy storage that can support Queensland's energy transition.

It is being designed to capture and store excess energy and then provide this stored energy back into the electricity grid for use by Queensland homes and businesses when it is needed.

Engaging local suppliers

Queensland Hydro is committed to providing opportunities for local and First Nations businesses and individuals through procurement, employment, and training and skills development - especially in the Somerset, Gympie, Sunshine Coast Hinterland, and surrounding areas.

Project Status

In June 2025, the Queensland Government transferred oversight of Queensland Hydro to Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC).

Our current focus is delivering a refreshed business case and commercial assessment for the proposed Borumba Project that is aligned to the Queensland Government's five-year energy roadmap strategy and meets the State's future energy needs. The refreshed business case is expected to be completed by mid-2026. For Queensland Hydro, this scope means a long duration pumped hydro system.

Queensland Hydro is currently undertaking early works onsite, technical investigations, project planning, design and community work while important regulatory approvals continue to be progressed.

Our current work includes site preparations and the construction of temporary accommodation camps to house our workforce. We are actively seeking to minimise impacts on local housing and tourism accommodation and to reduce individual vehicle movements to our site.

Our high-level program of work continues to focus on assessing the design to improve cost and schedule certainty and minimise any potential impacts on natural, cultural and community values.

In addition to early works being underway, we are continuing to seek regulatory approvals for the exploratory works phase of the Project.

Exploratory works will include further investigations and development of the proposed site and will inform the final project design.

Registration of Interest

Businesses interested in supplying Queensland Hydro or our delivery partners are encouraged to register interest via Gateway by ICN.

Current Registration of Interest (ROI) opportunities can be found in the Work Packages tab below.

When registering your interest, please ensure the following:

• Your company profile on Gateway by ICN is complete, up-to-date and accurate, including selecting the option to receive email notifications about supply opportunities.
• You register interest as a full or partial scope supplier, where applicable.
• You respond to all project and work package-specific questions.
  

Please note: Incomplete submissions may not be considered.

Businesses submitting an ROI should be aware that submission does not guarantee progression to the next stage of the procurement process. Only those organisations that clearly demonstrate the capability and capacity to meet Queensland Hydro's requirements will be invited to pre-qualify for specific opportunities

For guidance on creating a Gateway by ICN company profile and submitting an ROI, please refer to the ICN User Guides below.

Gateway by ICN company profile

Your Gateway by ICN company profile, along with any submitted ROI, is used to assess your organisation's capability to deliver on project requirements.

Click here to create a new company profile or login to update an existing one.

We encourage you to invest the time and effort needed to ensure your profile accurately and effectively represents your business.

Queensland Hydro strongly recommends that suppliers contact the Industry Capability Network (ICN) as a first step to gain a better understanding of the ROI process.

Further assistance

For all other enquiries, email the Queensland Hydro Industry Engagement team at industry.qldhydro.com.au.