Genex Power has appointed consulting firm Entura to deliver a bankable feasibility study for the Kidston pumped storage project in North Queensland, Australia by June 2016.
There are currently only three pumped storage hydro schemes in Australia. The Kidston scheme will have an installed nameplate generation capacity of 330MW and power generated will be sold directly into Australia’s National Electricity Market during times of peak demand. The project is located on the site of the historic Kidston Gold Mine which contains two large adjacent pits with the potential to act as the upper and lower reservoirs required for pumped storage hydropower generation.
Entura will partner with lChinese power and design consultants HydroChina in the feasibility phase of the project. In November 2014 the two firms signed a Memorandum of Understanding to cooperate on the development of opportunities in the energy and water sectors.
In addition to the feasibility study, Entura will oversee subcontracted investigations, including geotechnical investigations and a bathymetric survey. The firm will also manage environmental and planning approvals for the project site, including specialist reports and community consultation.
