Kidston hydro project to deliver jobs and clean energy

Minister for Employment and Small Business, Di Farmer, and Assistant Minister for Hydrogen Development, Lance McCallum are visiting the Kidston pumped storage hydrogen project which is set to play a key role in delivering jobs for Far North Queensland, while creating renewable energy.

Minister Farmer said the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan sets the foundation for the success of the Genex Kidston Hydro Storage Project, creating approximately 900 jobs and helping power new jobs in North Queensland’s regional industries.

“The Kidston Pumped Hydro Storage Project is building a 250-megawatt pumped storage hydroelectric power generation facility that will use the old Kidston Gold Mine’s upper and lower pits,” Minister Farmer said.

“The project has been made possible through the Queensland Government’s investment of $147 million in transmission infrastructure to connect the project to a 186-kilometre transmission line from Kidston to Mount Fox near Ingham, creating 400 jobs.

“The construction of the pumped hydro project will create a further 500 jobs so this is a very exciting project for the region and it’s was exciting to be on-site today.

“This will also be an important step in the roll out of large-scale energy storage capability to enable more renewable energy to come into the national electricity market.

“This Kidston Project is one of many renewable energy projects underway in Queensland that will support the state’s transition to a low carbon economy.

“To make the most of opportunities like the Kidston Hydro Project, we need to ensure Queensland has the right workers in the right places to take advantage of these opportunities and we have plans in place to make that happen,” she said.

Minister Farmer said the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training was leading the development of a Future Energy Workforce Roadmap.

“The Future Energy Workforce Roadmap is a key action out of the Queensland Workforce Strategy and the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan.

“The Roadmap will identify opportunities to build and develop workforce capacity and capability, while ensuring Queensland has the right training in place in the right locations to provide regional workers with more opportunities to secure jobs in the energy sector.

“It will give visibility to the skills needed in the future energy sector and the career pathways available and consider practical ways to address potential skills shortages in key areas of the energy sector.

“The Future Energy Workforce Roadmap will complement the overarching Queensland Workforce Strategy, which is built on three pillars to connect, educate and attract the state's workforce to ensure the continued success of Queensland’s economy, and includes a focus on Skilling Queenslanders now and into the future.

“Along with the Hydrogen Industry Workforce Development Roadmap 2022-2032 announced in July, this work will help to ensure Queenslanders are well placed to maximise the economic opportunities presented by the renewable energy and hydrogen industries.

“The Queensland Workforce Strategy is working to ensure Queensland has the workforce to support growth, strengthen communities and keep the state at the forefront of new economic opportunities,” she said.

Assistant Minister for Hydrogen Development and the 50% Renewable Energy Target by 2030 Lance McCallum said the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan sets the framework for pumped hydro to help build a future of cheaper, cleaner and secure energy for Queenslanders.

 “As we race towards 70% renewable energy in Queensland by 2032, pumped hydro provides the firming capacity needed to power good jobs in new regional industries,” Assistant Minister McCallum said.

“The experts agree that high global fossil fuel markets are driving record prices in our energy system, pumped hydro and renewable energy allows us to break away and stand on our own two feet.

“Importantly under our plan, the power will not go out, because it’s a plan that serves people, not profits,” he said.

For more information on the Good people. Good jobs. Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022-2032 go to https://desbt.qld.gov.au/employment/support-employers/workforce-strategy

The Kidston Pumped Storage Hydro Project and its associated transmission infrastructure is expected to be completed and feeding into the national electricity market by early 2025.

ENDS

Media contact: Nicola Field 0497 940 285