Borumba Pumped Hydro Project - Transmission Connections

Overview

Powerlink has been engaged by Queensland Hydro to develop transmission line corridors to connect the proposed Borumba Pumped Hydro Project to the existing electricity transmission network. 

Due to the potential generation and storage capacity of the Borumba Pumped Hydro Project, new transmission infrastructure will be needed from the proposed pumped hydro facility at Lake Borumba to Woolooga in the north, and Halys in the south-west. 

The Borumba Pumped Hydro Project, located close to Imbil, will be capable of dispatching 2,000MW and storing energy for up to 24 hours. When fully operational, the pumped hydro facility will have the capacity to power up to two million Queensland homes. 

It is a nation-building infrastructure project of high strategic importance to Queensland and the future energy system. It will play a significant role in the State’s renewable energy transformation – long duration storage is critical to ensuring Queenslanders have affordable, reliable and clean energy. 

Status

The final corridor selection reports (CSRs) for the Borumba to Halys and Borumba to Woolooga transmission lines were released on 28 September 2023 and 30 November 2023, respectively.

For the Borumba to Halys corridor, work is progressing to refine the 1 km-wide corridor into a proposed 70-metre easement alignment. This is being supported by ongoing seasonal ecological surveys to better understand environmental values and inform project design.

In September 2025, the Federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) determined that the Borumba to Halys Transmission Connection Project is a controlled action that requires a public environment report (PER). 

Following a period of public consultation, DCCEEW issued guidelines for the development of the PER in December 2025. Powerlink is continuing its environmental assessments and will prepare the PER in accordance with these guidelines. Once complete, the PER will be released for public comment, and updates will be provided when it becomes available.

This forms part of the Federal approvals process. The project must also go through State planning approvals, and we will keep you informed as both pathways progress.

Powerlink is continuing to engage with key stakeholders, including Traditional Owners, to deepen Powerlink’s understanding of the project area and discuss the management of cultural heritage values.

Project work will continue alongside a refreshed business case and commercial assessment, with outcomes expected in 2026.

Get involved 

Head over to our Community Hub to learn more about the project including:

• project newsletters
• technical reports
• presentations
• podcasts
• community information sessions and more. 

Visit our community hub

Our Project Stakeholder Reference Groups are a critical part of achieving outcomes for the community and Queensland. These groups complement the wider program of stakeholder engagement which also includes community information sessions and online project engagement material. Learn more about our Stakeholder Reference Groups.