Kidston Pumped Hydro Project
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An innovative project success story from Trimble Authorized Distributor UPG that involves the world-first conversion of a disused gold mine into a pumped storage hydroelectric power generation facility in Australia.
Project Background
The Kidston Pumped Hydro Project is the flagship project for Genex Power, located in Kidston, Far-North Queensland.
The Kidston Pumped Storage Hydro Project is the first pumped hydro project in Australia for over 40 years, the first to be developed by the private sector, and the third-largest electricity storage device in the country.
This project has a unique mix of bulk earthworks, underground tunnelling, and structural/ mechanical components all needing accurate survey control and construction techniques.
EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) Contractor JV (Joint Venture) of McConnell Dowell and John Holland worked with project owner, Genex for a number of years to develop the project using the ECI (Early Contractor Involvement) model.
The ECI model ensured maximum innovation was brought to the project from both highly experienced Contractors, and the design team of GHD-Mott McDonald. An acceptable design, time and cost outcome was achieved and the project then moved to construction in 2021, now 50% complete (Q2-2023).
The MDJH-JV bring decades of combined experience in the delivery of significant Civil, Tunnelling, and Energy Infrastructure projects.