Sunshine Hydro launch $2b Flavian pumped hydro and green hydrogen project at Miriam Vale, south of Gladstone

The $2 billion renewables project promises to generate reliable energy from the grid by 2028. Full details here.

A new $2b hydrogen and green energy facility for Central Queensland has been announced, paving the way for hundreds of new jobs as the region welcomes more renewables projects.

Queensland renewable energy company, Sunshine Hydro, has launched its “super hydro” pumped hydropower and green hydrogen project, promising hundreds of jobs during construction as well as re-skilling opportunities.

The “Flavian” project, located at Miriam Vale south of Gladstone, is expected to generate reliable energy to the grid from 2028 along with green hydrogen production to service the domestic market.

Sunshine Hydro chairman Michael Myer launched the project in the halls of Gladstone Regional Council last week and said locals could expect 500 jobs during construction and between 60 to 80 ongoing positions.

“Our unique green hydropower system will provide highly reliable renewable energy to power the equivalent of 600,000 homes to ‘keep the lights on’ while generating hundreds of new jobs for the green economy,” Mr Myer said.

“We will apply our innovative closed loop hydropower model, which selects of a clever mix of energy inputs, outputs, and storage, which we call a super hybrid, to generate reliable green power and green hydrogen,” he said.

The project, which Sunshine Hydro claims is a “world first” in terms of its unique technology and software, will not only supply power through pumper hydro but also integrate solar and wind from Central Queensland Power partner, Energy Estate.

Mr Myer likened the technology to a musical score which relied on a number of different parts, or instruments, to make it function.

“If they all play separately, it doesn’t sound so good but ff you have a conductor that gets them all to play together, according to a score, you end up with a beautiful piece of music,” he said.

The 303 hectare site is located within the Central Queensland Renewable Energy Zone (CQREZ), and is part of a larger 3000 hectare site purchased by Bundaberg-based partners Burnett Mary Regional Group.

Gladstone Regional Council Acting Mayor Kahn Goodluck welcomed Sunshine Hydro’s decision, saying it was an endorsement in the location, workforce and energy transition for Central Queensland.

“It’s fantastic to hear Sunshine Hydro will apply their exciting technology within our region,” Councillor Goodluck said.

“I was talking to a Gladstone Power Station worker the other day and he said he doesn’t like coming home from work covered in soot, he likes the security and the livelihood it provides, so absolutely if we make sure they have good decent pay … it’s going to be appealing to workers,” he said.

Planning has now commenced with a final investment decision expected to be made by 2025.

Originally published as Sunshine Hydro launch $2b Flavian pumped hydro and green hydrogen project at Miriam Vale, south of Gladstone