Joint media release with Minister for Resources, Water and Northern Australia Keith Pitt, Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor, and Senator for Queensland Susan McDonald

Work has officially begun on a major new energy project backed by a Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) loan which will help to secure energy supply across north Queensland and support more than 500 jobs during construction and 30 ongoing jobs.

Minister for Resources, Water and Northern Australia Keith Pitt said today Genex Power celebrated the start of construction for the Kidston pumped hydro project 270 km northwest of Townsville, which will deliver eight hours of energy storage daily when it starts operating from 2024.

“The project has Coalition Government support through a $610 million loan from the NAIF,” Minister Pitt said.

“I congratulate Genex Power for today’s milestone, which marks the start of a mini boom in construction jobs for north Queensland, and a project which will strengthen energy security for the region.

“The project will transform the old Kidston gold mine into a major energy storage project which will help stabilise energy supplies in Queensland and keep energy prices as low as possible.”

In addition to the $610 million loan from the NAIF, the project has also received a $47 million grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).

Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said breaking ground on a new reliable pumped hydro project in northern Queensland is welcome news, and a key opportunity to drive affordable, reliable power for households and businesses in Queensland.

“The Kidston pumped hydro project will deliver regional jobs and create a long-term dispatchable supply for north Queensland,” Minister Taylor said.

“This is critically important for large manufacturers and C&I customers in regional Queensland who rely on affordable, firm energy to grow their business and employ more Australians."

Assistant Minister for Northern Australia Michelle Landry said the 250 MW/2000 MWh pumped hydro power station would create jobs and opportunities for businesses across north Queensland.

“The project will help create jobs and opportunities in north Queensland and will deliver affordable, reliable power for households and businesses in the state,” Assistant Minister Landry said.

“The project is a great example of how the NAIF is supporting economic growth and jobs across Australia’s north.”

Townsville-based Queensland Senator Susan McDonald represented the Government at a sod-turning event for the Kidston project.

“Today is a fantastic day for north Queensland, with work officially starting on the Kidston project which will create more opportunities for people and industries in northern Australia,” Senator McDonald said.

“The Kidston Project is the NAIF’s biggest investment so far, and underlines the Australian Government commitment for NAIF to support development in northern Australia.”

In Queensland, NAIF has supported projects with a total value of around $1 billion, supporting around 3,400 jobs and returning an estimated economic benefit of more than $2.3 billion.

NAIF has now reached contractual close of $989m in transactions in Queensland – a critical point of economic enablement where design and construction activities commence and job creation starts.

The Kidston pumped hydro project includes a 186 kilometre transmission line to connect the project to the national grid, which is being funded by the Queensland Government.

Media contacts: