Kidston Pumped Hydro: ECI Risk Review for Renewable Energy

Transforming an abandoned mine for 250MW clean energy storage

The Kidston Pumped Storage Hydro Project in Far-North Queensland is the flagship of the Kidston Clean Energy Hub. This world-first project involves the pioneering re-use of an abandoned gold mine to create a 250MW / 1,870MWh energy storage facility. Energy generated from the plant during peak demand periods plays a crucial role in providing system stability to the Queensland electricity network.

The Kidston project utilised two abandoned mining pits as the upper and lower reservoirs. The project required the construction of an underground power station cavern, access declines, pressure shaft, and tailrace tunnels to complete the join between two reservoirs. During peak power demand, water is released from the upper to the lower reservoir (Wises Pit), passing through reversible pump / generators.

risk review to inform Early Contractor Involvement (ECI)

SYSTRA provided specialist due diligence advice to the Australian contractor, Downer (contracted by Genex Power), during the Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) phase. Our mission was a review of the feasibility study and risk review of the complex underground and structural elements of the scheme before the client committed to the next phase.

Our advisory support specifically included:

• A review of the feasibility study’s construction programme for the tunnels, underground cavern, and related structures.

• Participated in the underground construction workshop;

• Developing a comprehensive geotechnical information overview, including a critical gap analysis.

• Generating a detailed risk review report to inform the ECI senior management’s crucial ‘go/no-go’ investment decision.

• Identifying further opportunities to be developed in the ECI project phase.