DESIGN refinements of the proposed Kidston Pumped Storage Hydro Project in far north Queensland show the facility has the potential to increase generation capacity up to 450 megawatts, a feasibility study has found.
Genex Power Limited plans to build a 150 megawatt solar scheme, industrial scale pump storage hydro scheme and 185km transmission line, at the former Kidston Gold Mine, 270km northwest of Townsville.
It appointed Entura and HydroChina to carry out a feasibility study for the project.
“The design layout of the project has evolved substantially since the prefeasibility study (PFS) concept was initially identified,” said Simon Kidston, Genex executive director.
“The optimal design identified provides for a turkey’s nest shallow dam design for the upper reservoir to be adopted to maximise the potential of the project.
“While the ultimate size and scale of the project has yet to be determined the new design is expected to have the capacity to generate up to 450MW of peaking power over a 5 to 6 hour period.”
The study determined that a single pressure tunnel, twin turbine and single tailrace tunnel configuration offered the best economic outcome.
Mr Kidston said a detailed geotechnical investigation had been completed.
He said a connection options study had also been done, which showed that the existing Powerlink main transmission network is robust enough to accept the envisaged generation output and pumping loads from the power station, without suffering any normal constraints.
Mr Kidston said support from ARENA, including funding, and the State Government had been critical in progressing the feasibility study.
“Genex is currently advancing project funding discussions with a number of parties. These discussions include innovative funding arrangements in respect of the power transmission line.”
The feasibility study is due to be completed later this year.