Genex Power’s landmark Kidston pumped hydro storage project could start powering up in the second half of 2024, with work underway on a 186km new transmission line to connect it to the grid in far north Queensland.
Construction of the $295 million Genex Kidston Connection Project, which started up this week, marks a major milestone for what is a landmark project, combining solar, wind and pumped hydro storage at an old gold mine site north-west of Townsville.
The project is also a big deal for state-owned network company Powerlink, which says development of the new transmission line and two new switching stations is the largest package of works it has undertaken in eight years.
The new network link is partly funded by the Queensland Labor government, which last year confirmed a contribution of $147 million to the project. Genex and its partners were to contribute $100 million – although that amount has clearly gone up since February of 2021 to take the total cost to $295 million.
Genex’s 250MW/2,500MWh pumped hydro storage project offers particular value to the state’s grid as a not-too distant future source of long duration energy storage of renewables in Queensland’s industrial north.
All up, the Kidston Clean Energy Hub aims to co-locate 270MW of solar and 150MW wind with the pumped hydro. A 50MW solar farm is already in operation and regularly tops the charts for Australia’s best performing PV generation assets.
PowerLink says that in the planning of the new switching stations at Mount Fox and Kidston, it consulted with the Gugu Badhun Aboriginal Corporation (GBAC) to name the Mount Fox facility. Guybal Munjan was chosen, meaning ‘fire mountain’ in local language.
“The start of construction follows comprehensive studies and engagement with landholders, the community and other stakeholders over a period of more than six years,” said PowerLink CEO Paul Simshauser.
“We’re building nearly 350 transmission towers along this stretch of line, utilising 5,500 tonnes of galvanised steel. Our first phase of construction will include upgrading existing access tracks, establishing vehicle wash down bays and preparation of the transmission tower pads.”
Simshauser says to complete preliminary project works, PowerLink has partnered with more than 20 local suppliers to deliver contracts valued at nearly $14 million. All up the entire project is expected to support around 400 jobs.
“It goes without saying that solid planning and engagement paves the way for the successful delivery of large-scale projects like this,” he said.
“We remain committed to proactively engaging with landholders, the community and other stakeholders throughout construction, with project commissioning expected in April 2024.”
Genex chief James Harding says the Kidston Pumped Storage Project is the first of its kind to be developed in Australia in more than 40 years.
The company says it still expects the project to be completed and “energised” in the second half of 2024, although it recently conceded that it would run up to $15 million over budget because of extra work needed to deal with geological problems encountered in the former open pit gold mine.
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