The Genex Kidston Hydro Storage Project will generate approximately 900 jobs for Far North Queensland, while delivering renewable energy.
The project involves the construction of a 250MW pumped storage hydroelectric power generation facility that will use the old Kidston Gold Mine’s upper and lower pits.
Queensland Minister for Employment and Small Business, Di Farmer, said the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan sets the foundation for the success of the Genex Kidston Hydro Storage Project.
“The project has been made possible through the Queensland Government’s investment of $147 million in transmission infrastructure to connect the project to a 186-kilometre transmission line from Kidston to Mount Fox near Ingham, creating 400 jobs,” said Ms Farmer.
“The construction of the pumped hydro project will create a further 500 jobs so this is a very exciting project for the region and it was exciting to be on-site today.
“This will also be an important step in the roll out of large-scale energy storage capability to enable more renewable energy to come into the national electricity market.”
Ms Farmer said the Kidston Project is one of many renewable energy projects underway in Queensland that will support the state’s transition to a low carbon economy.
“To make the most of opportunities like the Kidston Hydro Project, we need to ensure Queensland has the right workers in the right places to take advantage of these opportunities and we have plans in place to make that happen.”
Ms Farmer said the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training was leading the development of a Future Energy Workforce Roadmap.
“The Roadmap will identify opportunities to build and develop workforce capacity and capability, while ensuring Queensland has the right training in place in the right locations to provide regional workers with more opportunities to secure jobs in the energy sector.”
Assistant Minister for Hydrogen Development and the 50% Renewable Energy Target by 2030, Lance McCallum, said the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan sets the framework for pumped hydro to help build a future of cheaper, cleaner and secure energy for Queenslanders.
“As we race towards 70 per cent renewable energy in Queensland by 2032, pumped hydro provides the firming capacity needed to power good jobs in new regional industries,” Mr McCallum said.
“The experts agree that high global fossil fuel markets are driving record prices in our energy system, pumped hydro and renewable energy allows us to break away and stand on our own two feet.”
The Kidston Pumped Storage Hydro Project and its associated transmission infrastructure is expected to be completed by early 2025.
