Alinta Energy cancels $1.8 billion Oven Mountain pumped hydro project

Alinta Energy has discontinued development of the $1.8 billion Oven Mountain Pumped Hydro Scheme in northern New South Wales. The 900MW project, located within the Armidale Renewable Energy Zone, was designed to act as a large-scale battery capable of powering more than 600,000 homes.

Alinta Energy cited economic and timing challenges regarding a critical transmission line as the primary reasons for the project's unviability. While the project required only a 15km connection to the existing Line 965 between Armidale and Kempsey, delays in infrastructure upgrades and connection decisions by EnergyCo reportedly contributed to the cancellation.

Oxley MP Michael Kemp described the cancellation as a “devastating loss” for the Macleay Valley, noting that the project would have provided hundreds of jobs and a significant boost to the regional economy. The project was considered a critical component for the New South Wales energy transition.