Name and Location
Kidston project, North Queensland, Australia.

Client
Genex Power.

Project Description
The project involves the construction of a 150 MW solar power generation farm; a 330 MW pumped-storage hydroelectric scheme using the former mine pits and their stored water; a 185 km transmission line to carry power to the coast and the main powerlink line between Townsville and Cairns.

The solar farm involves installing solar photovoltaic panels on the former mine’s 300 ha of rehabilitated tailings.

The Kidston pumped-storage project proposes using the defunct mine’s two large adjacent pits, which will serve as the upper and lower reservoirs for the pumped-storage scheme. Given the significant potential water head differential that the pits offer and the vast quantity of water they can hold, the Kidston scheme has been designed to support 1 650 MWh of continuous power generation in a single generation in one cycle.

A concrete-lined pressure tunnel will connect the upper reservoir to the underground generation powerhouse. A concrete lined tailrace tunnel will, in turn, connect the powerhouse to the lower reservoir. A shaft from surface will connect the underground infrastructure to a surface power control room, which will be connected to a transformer station on an existing pit bench. During peak power demand periods, water will be released from the upper to the lower reservoir, passing through three 110 MW reversible pumps acting in generation mode. During off-peak periods, water will be pumped back from the lower to the upper reservoir using the pumps in pumping mode.

The Kidston scheme will have an installed nameplate generation capacity of 330 MW.

Value
The project is valued at A$580-million.

Duration
Construction on the solar farm will start in the final quarter of 2016 and on the hydroelectric project and transmission line in 2017.

Latest Developments
Minister for State Development and Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dr Anthony Lynham has assigned “prescribed project” status to Kidston.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
None stated.

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Genex Power, tel +612 9993 4411 or email Info@genexpower.com.au.