The 2022 ATCO Communities Fund will also include the local government regions of Oberon and Lithgow.

Its aim is to provide funding to not-for-profit and community groups for projects and initiatives taking place during the 2022 calendar year.

Early this year, ATCO Australia announced plans to develop what is being called the Central West Pumped Storage Hydro Project near Yetholme, between Bathurst and Lithgow.

"Pumped storage hydro projects provide the long duration energy solution required to complement the short duration battery projects that have been recently announced across NSW," executive general manager, business development, Ben Bolot said.

"This project is a critical part of securing our energy future and making NSW an attractive location for industry with stable, low cost energy supply as we transition away from carbon based fuels."

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Mr Bolot said the project is in the development phase and construction is expected to start in 2023 before operations start in late 2025.

ATCO Australia says the project is expected to create 200 jobs during the three-year construction phase and 30 ongoing jobs.

Mr Bolot said the ATCO Communities Fund "aims to deliver benefits to the community where we will live and work".

"The Communities Fund allows eligible community groups and not-for-profit organisations to apply for funding of up to $10,000 in support of their local community projects and programs," he said.

Applications for the 2022 Communities Fund will remain open until Friday, October 15.

Application process details and information on key priority areas are available at www.atco.com.au.

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