State’s only pumped hydro generator to get complete overhaul

The Queensland state government is to invest $48 million in overhauling the Wivenhoe pumped hydro power station, now operated by the state owned CleanCo, to improve reliability and efficiency.

Wivenhoe is currently the only pumped hydro power plant in Queensland, although it will soon be joined by the Kidston pumped hydro project currently being built and commissioned by Genex Power in a former gold mine in the north of the state.

That project, however, is running behind schedule and is now expected to be complete early next year.

The Queensland government, which is expected to release its detailed energy plan next month, says both 285 MW turbines at Wivenhoe, located near Fernvale in the south-east of the state, will be overhauled across the next two years.

“These major works will keep this pumped hydro supporting Queensland’s electricity network for decades to come,” said David Janetzki, state treasurer and minister for energy.

Janetzki says Winevhoe generated over 218 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in the fourth quarter of the last financial year – the highest quarterly output in its 40-year history.

“Wivenhoe’s record performance shows the critical role smaller, more manageable pumped hydro plays in providing affordable and reliable energy,” said Janetzki.

The $48 million investment into the Wivenhoe Pumped Hydro Power Station follows a $50 million investment by the LNP government to support feasibility works into developing a pumped hydro station at Mount Rawdon.

The LNP government has already cancelled the massive Pioneer Burdekin pumped hydro project, and is considering its options on the Borumba project in central Queensland.

CleanCo said earlier this year it was working with Evolution Mining and ICA Partners to assess the possibility of building a pumped hydro project at a former gold mine west of Bundaberg. The project could theoretically store up to 20,000 MWh of electricity.

“CleanCo is the custodian of Queensland’s only operational pumped hydro at Wivenhoe, and we’re proud to be getting more out of this asset than ever before,” said Tom Metcalfe, CleanCo CEO. 

“In the last year we’ve achieved record generation from Wivenhoe, and these maintenance works will make sure the station can keep delivering at that level well into the future.

“We’re also progressing work at Mount Rawdon, because smaller, more manageable pumped hydro is central to Queensland’s energy future and directly aligned with the Crisafulli Government’s priorities to deliver reliable, affordable and sustainable energy.” 

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