John Holland and McConnell Dowell will soon begin to convert a disused gold mine into a storage hydroelectric power generation facility.
The Kidston Pumped Storage Hydro Project in Far North Queensland has the potential to generate up to 250 megawatts of rapid response, flexible power to Australia’s National Electricity Market.
Led by Genex Power, an Australian renewable energy and storage company, the project will convert two existing mine pits into reservoirs.
It will also involve the construction of significant underground infrastructure, including a large powerhouse cavern, waterway shafts, and tunnels to allow the transfer of water between the upper and lower reservoirs to generate power during peak periods and return water back to the upper reservoir during off peak periods.
John Holland CEO Joe Barr said the opportunity to deliver a sustainable and carbon neutral solution to benefit future generations reflects the company’s commitment to improving communities.
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“For more than 70 years John Holland has been dedicated to leaving a positive legacy that extends beyond the delivery phase of our projects, and I think this project stays true to that,” Barr said.
John Holland Executive General Manager Infrastructure Andrew English said the team looks forward to getting started on this first-of-its-kind project.
“This will be a gamechanger for the clean energy industry worldwide and our team is excited they can utilise their expertise to pave the way for an entirely new approach to large-scale energy storage,” English said.