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Global professional services company GHD is delivering the detailed design services for the ground-breaking 250 MW Kidston Pumped Storage Hydro project in a joint venture with Mott MacDonald. Located north west of Townsville in North Queensland, this world first Genex Power project will convert a decommissioned gold mine into a pumped storage hydroelectric power generation facility, forming a key part in Australia’s future energy transition.
The project has the potential to generate up to 250MW of rapid response, emissions-free flexible power for delivery into Australia’s National Electricity Market. It is moving into the construction phase late May 2021 after recently receiving approval from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). And because it’s a world first, the project has taken some specialised design to secure the financial backing of AUD47 million from ARENA and AUD610 million from Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility.
The GHD – Mott MacDonald Joint Venture will deliver all design services to the EPC contractor McConnell Dowell – John Holland Joint Venture.
“Our Joint Venture teams have been working together with Genex in the early development phases of the project and continuation of this proven collaborative relationship will play an important part in the successful delivery of the project,” says Craig Berry, GHD’s Project Director.
Photo courtesy of Genex Power
Minimising environmental impacts and benefiting from the storages created by the mine, the project is repurposing the former gold mine site and turning two existing pits at the mine into lower and upper reservoirs for water to be stored, integrating with the already built Kidston Solar Power Plant.
During the day, solar electricity generated from the solar plants will be used to pump water for the lower to the upper reservoir. This water will be released from the upper to the lower reservoir during peak electricity demand periods generating dispatchable electricity. And each evening grid power will also be used to pump water into the upper reservoir storing electricity to dispatch during peak demands.
Photo courtesy of Genex Power
The project also involves the construction of significant underground infrastructure including a large powerhouse cavern, waterway shafts and tunnels and includes a 25 m high embankment dam around the upper reservoir. The powerhouse will contain two 125-MW reversible pump turbine units supplied by ANDRITZ.
“This project will also be the first pumped hydro energy storage project in more than 40 years in Australia, so it’s really exciting to be part and be leading the way in new energy generation. This innovative solution which uses old mines will create lasting benefit to the local communities,” says Brendan Henry, GHD’s National Practice Leader, Tunnels and Engineering Delivery Manager for the project.
Construction on the Kidston Pumped Storage Hydro is expected to be finished by 2024.
This Project received funding from ARENA as part of ARENA’s Advancing Renewables Program.
For more information please contact:

Brendan Henry
Practice Leader, Tunnels
Brendan.Henry@ghd.com
T: +61 7 3316 3885

Craig Berry
Project Director
Craig.Berry@ghd.com
T: +61 7 3316 3638