The Kidston Pumped Storage Hydro Project will utilise the two existing mining pits (Wises and Eldridge) as the upper and lower reservoirs for the project to minimise construction time and cost.
A concrete lined pressure tunnel will connect the upper reservoir to the underground generation powerhouse. A concrete lined tailrace tunnel will, in turn, connect the powerhouse to the lower reservoir. A shaft from the surface will connect the underground infrastructure to a surface power control room, which will be connected to a transformer station located on an existing pit bench.
The Kidston Pumped Storage Hydro Project (250MW) is a closed loop system, which will involve the transfer of water from the upper reservoir to the lower reservoir. This will ensure minimal environmental impact during operation, on what is already a disturbed historical mining site.
Bamford Rock Testing has been doing rock tests on some of the material being used in the project.