Genex Power has released an update on the construction of its 250MW/2,000MWh Kidston Pumped Storage Hydro Project.

Genex’s Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) Contractor continues to progress the underground excavation works and remains on schedule for completion in the second half of 2024.

As at 4 th December 2023, the following works were fully completed

Main Access Tunnel

Construction adits 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Transformer hall and IPB breakthroughs into the powerhouse cavern

Headrace tunnels 1 and 2

Intake shaft 1, the ventilation shaft and the cable shaft

The excavation of the powerhouse cavern is now over 65 per cent complete and is anticipated to be fully excavated in early 2024. The second intake shaft is over 50 per cent complete and will be fully excavated in January 2024.

Works have also commenced from construction for the excavation of the first sections of tailrace tunnels 1 and 2, heading back toward the powerhouse cavern, anticipated to be completed in early 2024.

Once completed, this will signal the completion of all major underground excavation works for the project.

The final excavation of tailrace 1 and 2 from construction adit 2 towards the ultimate portals in Eldridge Pit is anticipated to be completed in 1H CY2024 once the water level has been sufficiently lowered in Eldridge Pit.

Works are also currently underway on the installation of the gantry crane running rails.

Installation and commissioning of the 220t gantry crane is scheduled to be completed in January 2024 to allow the powerhouse fit out works to commence.

The powerhouse fit out works will start with the installation of embedded parts for the draft tube steel liner sections which ultimately connect with the tailrace tunnels.

Wises Dam works are also being progressed by the EPC Contractor. All bulk earthworks, concrete plinth and cement screeding have been completed for the full 6km circumference of the dam.

The final task is to complete the liner placement which is 85 per cent complete. It is anticipated that Wises Dam will be fully completed early in 2024.

The dewatering works have continued, with six 850kW pumps delivering approximately 1,700L/s into Wises Dam. These will continue into the new year to allow the commencement of the tailrace works from underground to the portals in the bottom of Eldridge Pit.

Genex has also said that transmission works are progressing well.

The balance of electrical plant works being undertaken by Beon Energy Solutions have been completed, with the finalisation of stringing of the conductor from the new K2H switching station to the Aurumfield (K2X) substation. This has enabled Genex to grant practical completion to Beon for these works.

Powerlink has reached several construction milestones, including most notably the completion of the Guybal Munjan substation at the Mt Fox end of the new transmission line.

Concurrently, works are progressing well at the K2X substation at Kidston, with completion scheduled in the second quarter of 2024.

This substation will ultimately contain an area for equipment to connect the 258MW Kidston Stage 3 Wind Project to the National Electricity Market.

In addition to the substation works, Powerlink has continued to progress the 185km 275kV transmission line works with all of the towers in Zone 1 at Kidston erected to allow the commencement of conductor stringing from the Kidston end of the alignment.

Works continue with foundations, and tower assembly and erection for the remainder of the alignment.