From legacy to load: How pumped hydro is redefining asset closure
Asset closure is undergoing a significant transformation. No longer viewed solely as a regulatory obligation or sunk cost, asset closure is now being reimagined as a launchpad for renewable infrastructure and regional regeneration. Nowhere is this shift more visible, or more promising, than in the pumped hydro energy storage (PHES) sector. As energy systems evolve toward decarbonisation, the long-life, grid-scale capabilities of pumped hydro are finding new relevance, particularly when developed on legacy industrial sites. GHD is at the forefront of this shift, helping clients across Australia, North America and the UK turn former mines and brownfield sites into critical storage assets that strengthen energy resilience and drive sustainable development . This is not merely about decommissioning as a final step; it's about reimagining the lifecycle of hydropower assets.