The nation's reservoirs other than the Snowy Hydro offer largely untapped potential for energy storage and generation, including solar farms, that governments such as in NSW hope to unleash.

The Berejiklian government on Thursday announced plans to partner its main reservoir management agency, WaterNSW, with the Department of Planning and Environment to open the way for energy investments in the state's water assets.

“We will be engaging the private sector to look at opportunities in pumped hydro, hydro

generation and floating solar, which sees photovoltaic panels floated on lakes and ponds,” Energy Minister Don Harwin said.

The nation's dams offer a largely untapped potential for hydro and and even floating solar energy projects. Credit:Edwina Pickles

Mr Harwin's comments come as state and territory energy ministers prepare to strut their region's energy credentials at Friday's meeting of Council of Australian Governments in Melbourne.