Upper Hunter Hydro joins IHA and adds momentum to the push for pumped storage
Upper Hunter Hydro is developing two large pumped hydro schemes in the Hunter region of Australia: the Glenbawn and Glennies Creek Pumped Hydro Projects. Upper Hunter Hydro's commitment to pumped storage hydropower is crucial in addressing the challenges posed by climate change.
Malcolm Turnbull, Director of Upper Hunter Hydro, and representing global hydropower today at the opening of IHA's new Southeast Asia office in Jakarta, emphasised the importance of hydropower in the energy mix: “To meet the challenge of global warming the world needs to urgently transition to clean energy. We have all the resources needed to achieve this change - sun, wind and water. But one resource is limited and shrinking, and that is time.
"Pumped hydro is a proven technology that has been deployed around the world for over a century. The more clean but variable power that is developed through solar and wind, the more pumped hydropower will be required to provide balance and flexibility when the wind doesn’t blow, and the sun doesn’t shine.
"While batteries play an important role and are essential for storage diversification, sustainable hydropower can be the backbone of national strategies to build thriving, low-carbon economies bolstered by clean, renewable energy.”
Eddie Rich, CEO of IHA, welcomed Upper Hunter Hydro to the Association: "We are delighted to welcome Upper Hunter Hydro to the IHA. It is a remarkable statement of personal commitment that Malcolm, the IHA President, and Upper Hunter Hydro co-founder, Roger Gill, former IHA President, are contributing their own time and investment in this area.
"They are taking considerable personal risk to demonstrate how pumped storage can ensure the necessary reliability and storage with the increased solar and wind power in the grid as well as help replace some of the jobs left by a reduced coal sector. Together, we can harness the power of water to create a more resilient, sustainable future for all."
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