Kidston hydro project creates job boom

Genex

The latest construction milestone involved building Wises Dam, a task that provided work to 120 employees. A further 100 workers will be needed before June, with an estimated peak of 430 on-site workers being mobilised by mid-2023.

The construction of Wises Dam is a critical part of the $777 million project, which will see the former Kidston gold mine in North Queensland converted into a clean energy hub that will integrate wind, solar and pumped hydro storage, and help to meet Townsville’s peak power demand.

According to Resources Minister and member for Townsville Scott Stewart, this sets “a global example for effective transformation of legacy mining sites”, and will help the Queensland government to achieve its goal of 50 per cent renewable energy by 2030.

“This project will not only power homes and jobs, it will also help pave the way for more mining rehabilitation success stories across Queensland, as we work to breathe new life into old sites,” Stewart said.

Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni said that the project will have flow-on benefits for individual Queenslanders and businesses alike.

“More clean, renewable energy means lower emissions as well as cheaper power for Queensland households, businesses and industry,” he said.

“And that’s why the Queensland Government committed $147 million towards essential transmission infrastructure built by publicly-owned Powerlink to link Kidston to the east coast energy grid.”

This is Genex‘s flagship project, and it will be the first of its kind to be developed in Australia in over 40 years. One year into the delivery phase, the project is on track to commence generation in 2024 and start feeding into the National Electricity Market by 2025.

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