Gamuda & Ferrovial joint venture signs ECI agreement for Oven Mountain Pumped Hydro Storage project

Gamuda, in a joint venture with Ferrovial Construction (GFJV), has signed an Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) agreement with Alinta Energy for the multi-billion-dollar Oven Mountain Pumped Hydro Storage project.

The ECI will take approximately six months to progress the project design and constructability using a world-class team of experts drawing on Gamuda’s extensive tunnelling and civil engineering expertise coupled with Ferrovial’s proven capability in delivering hydro and dam projects.

The Oven Mountain Pumped Hydro Energy Storage project is an ‘off-river’ pumped hydro energy development located adjacent to the Macleay River between Armidale and Kempsey in New South Wales, within the New England Renewable Energy Zone.

When complete, the Oven Mountain Pumped Hydro Storage project will significantly contribute to this target, producing up to 900 megawatts of electricity and able to store enough water for up to eight?hours of dispatchable, reliable energy at full generation.

The project is being wholly developed by Alinta Energy, one of Australia’s largest energy retailers, generators, investors and developers, and is expected to inject more than $40 million into the regional economy, employ up to 800 people during construction, and generate up to 95 direct and indirect jobs once operational.

Alinta Energy’s Executive Director of Merchant Energy, Ken Woolley, said the Gamuda Ferrovial JV was chosen as a partner due to each company’s world-leading expertise in large-scale, complex infrastructure construction projects.

“Gamuda and Ferrovial have proven expertise in tunnelling, hydro and geo-tech, which makes this JV the perfect partner to deliver the most advanced pumped hydro project in NSW. We are excited to work together to progress this project.”

Ewan Yee, Gamuda’s Chief Executive Officer, said the company is excited about the appointment as it continues to deliver on its strategy to become a leading sustainable energy contractor.

The Gamuda and Ferrovial joint venture partners will build on an already strong foundation, currently delivering another piece of major infrastructure in NSW, the Coffs Harbour bypass project.

“This appointment builds upon our ongoing success in the Australian market and allows us to showcase our experience in delivering large-scale hydro projects. We are excited to again partner with Ferrovial to deliver this exciting and game-changing project for Alinta Energy and NSW,” Mr Yee said.

“We are very excited to be part of the Oven Mountain Pumped Hydro Storage project with Alinta Energy, in partnership with Gamuda,” said Antonio Cañete, Ferrovial’s Managing Director for Australia. “This partnership is an opportunity to bring our best people and project experience to the benefit of the project and regional communities.”

“This project reinforces our mission to create innovative, efficient, and sustainable infrastructure that positively impacts the world,” Cañete concluded.