In Far-North Queensland, a bold step toward renewable energy storage is taking shape deep underground—literally. At the Kidston Clean Energy Hub, crews from Mammoet have successfully executed a key heavy-lift milestone for the Kidston Pumped Storage Hydro Project (K2Hydro).
Working in partnership with McConnell Dowell and John Holland, Mammoet deployed specialized heavy transport equipment to move and install two 133-tonne transformers. The job required moving the components 250 meters below the surface into a cavern created within a repurposed mine site—no easy feat, even by industry standards.
Precision and pressure, 250 meters down
This isn’t just another transformer delivery. The site itself is part of a unique hydro-electric project that repurposes two decommissioned gold mine pits to act as upper and lower reservoirs for energy storage. It’s the first pumped storage hydro project in Australia in more than four decades, and it’s set to become the country’s third-largest electricity storage system.
To get the job done, Mammoet used a mix of SPMTs (Self-Propelled Modular Transporters), a hydraulic jacking system, and a ten-meter skid track system to handle the extreme logistical challenge. Transporting massive components into a deep shaft in remote terrain, with tight environmental and safety controls, speaks to the technical experience of the team on the ground.
Lifting today for tomorrow’s energy needs
While the spotlight often shines on solar panels and wind turbines, grid-scale storage is the unsung hero in Australia’s shift toward renewables. Projects like K2Hydro are crucial in stabilizing supply and demand, especially during peak usage or when generation dips.
By supporting the installation of critical infrastructure for energy storage, Mammoet is playing a quiet but essential role in a more sustainable energy landscape. And while the equipment may weigh hundreds of tonnes, the message behind it is light and clear: transitioning to clean energy demands both innovation and deep logistical expertise.
