Arena to give EnergyAustralia grant to investigate pumped hydro storage project

Malcolm Turnbull says technology 'mature and cost-effective' as Australian Renewable Energy Agency grant announced

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (Arena) has approved a $450,000 grant to EnergyAustralia to investigate a pumped hydro energy storage project off South Australia as the state's energy mix continues to cause a political storm.

The grant will cover a feasibility study into a Spencer Gulf project that the company says has a capacity to produce about 100 megawatts (MW) of electricity with six-to-eight hours of storage.