The Victorian Government has backed a plan to power Bendigo using underground hydropower as reported by ABC News.
Victoria will be taking advantage of pumped hydro using abandoned gold mines under the city.
A community group approached the Central Deborah Goldmine to look for solutions to a costly groundwater problem. Ken Mann, a retired engineer, and Bendigo Sustainability Group volunteer saw the potential. He said the surplus solar power can be used to pump water up to a water reservoir.
The state government and the city of Greater Bendigo provided a $150,000 grant for a pre-feasibility study and according to Benjamin White of the Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning the estimates are very promising.