North Queensland is pumped for major hydro milestone

The North Queensland Kidston Pumped Hydro Project, expected to create up to 900 jobs, has reached two major milestones this week, ahead of its expected completion by early 2025.

The Genex Kidston Connection Project has received EPBC (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999) approval and the first delivery of parts for the pumped hydro station have arrived at the Port of Townsville.

Energy Minister Mick de Brenni said Queensland will need a portfolio of energy projects to be developed by both the public and private sector to meet the state’s renewable energy targets.

“Our Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan is all about a future of cheaper, cleaner and secure energy for Queenslanders, powering good jobs in new regional industries,” Minister de Brenni said.

“It will build the Queensland SuperGrid, Australia’s largest, transporting renewable energy from the regions, powering industry and households.

“It’s pumped hydro projects that will underpin our reliable power, storing cheap renewable energy and pumping out power when we need it,” he said.

Resources Minister and Member for Townsville Scott Stewart said it was exciting to see the first delivery for Genex Power’s Kidston project arrive in North Queensland.

“This is an exciting project for the region because pumped hydro is an important part of our Energy and Jobs plan moving forward,” he said.

“This project is already creating good jobs in Townsville and North Queensland.

“Not only will the Kidston project be a fantastic mix of solar and pumped hydro it also demonstrates innovative thinking by transforming an old mine site into an energy hub.”

Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper said the region was well-placed to support the exploding renewable energy industry.

“It’s great to see this arriving at our publicly owned Port of Townsville which is so important in supporting projects like this,” Mr Harper said.

“With our fantastic weather and wide open spaces, embracing these opportunities will be key to our future.”

Member for Mundingburra Les Walker said Townsville and North Queensland were already renewable powerhouses.

“This project is supporting hundreds of good jobs and there are potentially thousands more as we grew the renewable industry in the north,” Mr Walker said.

“There are huge opportunities for the city through Queensland’s Energy and Jobs Plan through renewable energy as well as developing a hydrogen industry.”

Genex Power CEO James Harding said having the parts arrive in Townsville was an important milestone for the project.

“These parts will now be transported to site where they will be stored until the underground powerhouse excavation is complete and the equipment installation commences,” he said.

“The Kidston Pumped Storage Hydro Project is the Genex’s flagship project, and the first of its kind to be developed in Australia in more than 40 years.

“We’re looking forward to continuing to work with Townsville and all of North Queensland to support job opportunities as the project progresses.”

ANDRITZ is supplying the electro-mechanical equipment for the pumped storage hydro elements of this ground-breaking new project.

Some of the parts being delivered into the port include stay rings, spiral case sections, draft tube liner sections, draft tube cones and draft tube gate frames for the embedment into the concrete structure of the powerhouse.

In total, the current transport comprises 35 trucks, which are on its way to the Kidston site.

The manufacturing of turbine components and generator components is underway, and the arrival of this equipment is planned during Q2 2023. said Stefan Cambridge from ANDRITZ Hydro.

ENDS