Evolution Mining is advancing an AUD 7 billion ($4.64 billion) plan to construct a 2 GW/20 GWh pumped hydro electrical energy technology facility within the pit of a 20-year-old gold mine in Australia.
From pv journal Australia
Evolution Mining has lodged an environmental affect assertion for the proposed 2 GW/20 GWh Mount Rawdon Pumped Hydro Project with the Queensland Coordinator-General’s workplace.
The Mount Rawdon challenge, which was declared a coordinated challenge by the Queensland Coordinator General in 2022, is collectively developed by Evolution Mining and monetary consultancy ICA Partners.
The events plan to develop and function a pumped hydro facility by repurposing a pit on the current Mount Rawdon mine, about 75 kilometers southwest of Bundaberg. Gold mining operations there are scheduled to shut in 2027.
Evolution Mining mentioned greater than AUD 7 billion can be invested via the development part and building of a brand new energy generator if the challenge goes forward.
The Sydney-based firm mentioned the prevailing pit would function a decrease reservoir for the pumped hydro facility with a second higher reservoir to be constructed. It is anticipated that the challenge will even require 15 km of lateral tunnels and a pair of.5 km of vertical tunnels. It has a storage capability of two GW of vitality, which is able to enable as much as 10 hours of steady energy technology.
Evolution Executive Chair Jake Klein mentioned a not too long ago accomplished feasibility research confirmed the Mount Rawdon challenge is “economically and socially engaging and is the bottom price pumped hydro technology challenge per megawatt of capability in Australia.”
The feasibility research estimates that the challenge will ship decrease electrical energy costs for Queensland shoppers, saving nearly AUD 13 billion in market prices over its first 20 years of operation.
Klein mentioned the power was well-positioned to offer protected, dependable and clear energy to central and south-east Queensland as coal-fired turbines had been steadily retired by firms concentrating on the December funding choice. 2025.
“Mt Rawdon is ready to change into a 20,000 MWh pumped hydro storage facility able to powering as much as two million Queensland houses per evening, offering vital capability to underpin Queensland’s transition to renewables. or that vitality,” he mentioned.
ICA Partners’ Michael Siede mentioned the Sydney-based funding outfit recognized firming capability as essentially the most strategic a part of Australia’s transition to a renewable energy grid.
“This prompted the initiation of a complete nationwide research to find out essentially the most appropriate space to develop a pumped hydro vitality storage challenge,” he mentioned. “Mt Rawdon’s low price is because of its favorable topography, synergies with current mining operations, proximity to the transmission grid and wonderful entry.”
The Mount Rawdon challenge is one in all a rising record of pumped hydro initiatives being developed in Queensland with the state authorities figuring out the expertise as a perfect candidate to assist exchange coal energy.
The authorities goals to shut 5 coal-fired energy stations within the state by 2035 and Queensland Energy Minister Mick de Brenni mentioned pumped hydro would play a key position within the state’s renewable vitality transition.
“Pumped hydro is confirmed expertise, it is able to go now,” he mentioned.
The most superior of the initiatives is the 250 MW/2,000 MWh Kidston pumped hydro facility being constructed by Genex Power in north Queensland.
State-owned firm Queensland Hydro is pushing forward with growth of the proposed 2 GW/48 GWh Borumba pumped hydro challenge being developed close to Gympie and the bigger 5 GW/120 GWh Pioneer-Burdekin pumped hydro challenge that developed close to Mackay.
The Borumba challenge is anticipated to be accomplished by 2029, whereas the Pioneer-Burdekin challenge will not be attributable to be operational till 2035.
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