September 14, 2022
Others
Started commercialization verification of pumped storage hydroelectric power generation project at former Musselbrook coal mining site in Australia
Idemitsu Kosan Co.,Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, President and CEO: Shunichi Kito, hereinafter referred to as the "Company") is aiming to commercialize a pumped storage power generation project using the former mining site of the Musselbrook Coal Mine in Australia, in which it owns an interest. Detailed verification (hereinafter referred to as "commercialization verification") will begin in September. This commercialization verification was conducted through Muswellbrook Pumped Hydro Pty Ltd (Headquarters: Sydney, Australia), a company jointly established by our company and major Australian power company AGL Energy, and was supported by a subsidy from the New South Wales government. We have also decided to receive up to 9.45 million Australian dollars (approximately 920 million yen in Japanese yen).
Musselbrook Coal Mine is a mine with a history of over 100 years, having opened in 1907, and we acquired an interest in it in 1989. Although mining will end this year, we are currently considering using the mine's former mining site as a base for various renewable energy sources, leveraging the business base we have cultivated over many years in Australia. As part of this effort, we have been conducting basic verification since August 2019 with the aim of commercializing pumped storage hydroelectric power generation, focusing on the topography of the former mining site and the adjacent hilly area (Bells Mountain). As a result of the basic verification, it was confirmed that construction according to the proposed concept is technically possible, so we will move on to detailed commercialization verification including geological survey, grid connection, and construction cost calculation for commercialization.
Australia is attracting attention because it has favorable climate conditions such as wind and sunlight, has a large land area, and is rich in renewable energy potential. The Australian government is promoting energy transition towards decarbonization and is promoting the introduction of renewable energy such as solar power generation and wind power generation. There is a difference between the time of generation and the time of demand for such renewable energy, and the expansion of its introduction poses challenges in stabilizing the power system, so large-scale energy storage through pumped storage power generation will contribute to stabilizing the power system. and serve as a bridge to the renewable energy transition.
Leveraging the business foundation we have cultivated through approximately 40 years of coal mine operations, we will continue to proactively respond to Australia's energy transition and work to create low-carbon and decarbonized businesses.
- 【reference】
- July 26, 2019: Start of investigation into pumped storage hydropower generation project at former Musselbrook coal mining site in Australia
https://www.idemitsu.com/jp/news/2019/190726_2.html
The views expressed herein are not necessarily the views of the NSW Government. The NSW Government does not accept responsibility for any information or advice contained herein.
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Idemitsu Kosan Co.,Ltd. Public Relations Department Public Relations Division