SYSTRA to support Queensland Hydro on Borumba Pumped Hydro Project

SYSTRA, a global leader in engineering and consultancy, are delighted to have been selected by Queensland Hydro to provide underground technical services and management services in support of the construction of the exploratory tunnels for the Borumba Pumped Hydro Project. 

This milestone project is part of Queensland’s ambitious plan to bolster renewable energy infrastructure, providing significant benefits for the region and beyond.

Located near Imbil, northwest of the Sunshine Coast, it involves the development of pumped hydro energy storage at Lake Borumba. Once operational, the Borumba Pumped Hydro Project will be capable of dispatching 2,000 MW and storing up to 24 hours of energy with the capacity to supply electricity for up to 2.3 million Queensland homes. 

The scope of the Exploratory Tunnelling and Drilling Works (ET&D) Contractor, over which the Underground Technical Services and Management (Underground TSM) services are focused, is the design and construction of two access tunnels, with site-based works scheduled to commence in the first half of 2025 subject to regulatory approvals. 

The appointment leverages SYSTRA’s considerable experience providing technical and construction management services in the delivery of complex underground infrastructure projects in Australia, with the extensive underground construction design and supervision experience of the SYSTRA Group on hydro power projects globally.

Tim Brown, Executive Director, SYSTRA, commented, “We’re excited to be partnering with Queensland Hydro on what will be a cornerstone in Queensland’s clean energy future. Providing sustainable and reliable energy storage, the Borumba Project is a vital part of Queensland’s energy transition. Our team are really looking forward to working collaboratively with Queensland Hydro, the exploratory tunnels contractor and other project stakeholders to ensure the project gets into the ground in the right way.”

Queensland Hydro’s Executive General Manager of Delivery, Geoff Scott, said the partnership with SYSTRA would provide critical independent quality assurance to the proposed Borumba Project’s underground drilling and tunnelling program.

“The underground drilling program is the largest package in our Borumba Project exploratory works phase, and ensuring we have world-class technical expertise is key in delivering safe and reliable works,” Mr Scott said.

“SYSTRA has extensive experience in providing the level of quality assurance we require and will be instrumental in guiding us and our subcontractor base.”

The contract marks a significant achievement for SYSTRA, underscoring a deep commitment to delivering innovative engineering solutions that support Australia’s transition to renewable energy.

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About SYSTRA 

SYSTRA is one of the world’s leading engineering and consultancy groups. For more than 65 years, the Group has been committed to helping cities and territories to contribute to their development by creating, improving, and modernising key infrastructures.  

The ANZ team is an integral part of part of the SYSTRA global network, with 7 offices across ANZ.  For the 400 strong team located in Australia and New Zealand, we utilise our connected teams to bring best-in-class expertise to our local clients. We work with a partnership mindset, working closely with our clients to co-create the infrastructure solutions of tomorrow.

When a project is complex, high risk and requires deep technical skills and pedigree, SYSTRA ANZ is the signature team. For more information, visit systra.com/australia.  

“Joining SYSTRA was a big step for Bamser. The last year has been a real game changer as we expand our offerings and ability to bring global expertise to our local clients” commented Ben Crosby, Executive Director.

Jon Daley, EGM Infrastructure said “The synergy and complementary service offerings have provided a real benefit to both sides, positioning SYSTRA as a serious player both in ANZ and globally. It’s been fantastic working with our tunnelling design colleagues at SYSTRA India, SWS in Italy and Subterra in Spain and our people have enjoyed being part of a global tunnelling capability network.”

SYSTRA Bamser began sharing offices from day 1 in Melbourne, which was a real success for integration. Followed soon after by a merge into our Chifley Tower Sydney Head Office and finished  a few weeks ago coming together in a whole new office space in Ann Street Brisbane. The new Brisbane office is now suitably sized to soon welcome our RSA colleagues who will join the SYSTRA family imminently.

Alana Newbrook, CEO, SYSTRA ANZ said “It has been a big year for all of us as we have exponentially grown. What has been most rewarding to see is the multi-disciplinary teams working alongside each other and pitching for and delivering work that 1 year earlier, we wouldn’t have been invited to participate in. This extension of our capability and buzz in the office as we win new work makes all the hard work worthwhile.”

Tim Brown, Executive Director added “Being physically located together across ANZ has resulted in a number of wins for both staff and clients. The ability to bounce ideas off each other and to bring not only an expanded remit of local experience, but global best practice to the ANZ market has been a real step change. We cant wait to see what year 2 has in store!”