COLLIE RIVER VALLEY
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Muja’s hydro plan Thursday, September 8, 2022
EDITION No. 99
350 construction and 20 permanent jobs envisaged EARTHWORKS on a $650 million pumped hydro project could begin as early as the middle of next year. Pump Hydro Collie engineering manager Ken Muir this week confirmed the company is working with Griffin Coal to investigate a pump hydro energy storage (PHES) scheme at the Muja coal pit. Former Collie MLA Mick Murray, who is Pump Hydro Collie’s chairman, is leading the charge to build two 200 megawatt power turbines. Mr Muir said funding discussions with the State Government are “well progressed and not holding up the program”. “The project will create 350 direct construction jobs over three years and 20 direct full-time jobs in operation,” he said. He said the EPA has confirmed the project will not require referral, which is a major milestone for the project in terms of approvals. “The next stage of the project is to submit the final landform for Muja mine which includes a PHES scheme as the commercial end-use,” said Mr Muir. “In parallel, Griffin and PHC will need to seek approval from the WA Government for a change in the site’s approved use. “Subject to the above, earthworks could start by the middle of next year.”
The first stage of the project will involve a $650 million capital expenditure which includes a significant portion of currently unfunded rehabilitation liabilities associated with the mine. Griffin operates the mine site and first started investigating the potential to develop a pumped hydroelectric storage facility using the mine void in 2006-07 as was communicated to the then Minister for State Development. “As the deepest open cut coal mine in the southern hemisphere, coupled with a discrete geological water reservoir which is water gaining, the Muja pit is ideally suited to PHES,” Mr Muir said. “The pit is ideally located less than 2.5 kilometres away from Muja Power Station’s 330 kV switchyard, which is a very strong part of the grid with sufficient spare capacity for a large PHES scheme and increasing as coal plants are retired.” Mr Muir said the project has been proven technically and commercially feasible, with studies from multiple sources completed to date. PHC has prepared a full WA Industry Participation Plan and is working closely with key unions to ensure this becomes an exemplary industry leading transition project.
$2.50
FESTIV ARTY STARTS TODAY
A ‘great’ weekend
THIRTY people from the Collie and Austin branches of the Veteran Car Club of WA combined last weekend to show off their cars. Page 12.
Chris Harnby was busy preparing artwork by St Brigids’ students for display in the Festiv Arty festival, which starts today. See the full program of events and other Festiv Arty activities on pages 10 and 11.
Time for a home loan health check! With interest rates on the rise, there’s never been a better time to review your home loan. We’ll look at your rate, term, repayments, and equity, giving your loan a full check-up to make sure it’s still right for you and your current needs.
Enquire online at bendigobank.com.au/healthcheck or call your nearest branch on 08 9734 7411. Community Bank • Collie 9734 7411
*Source: Roy Morgan Single Source Australia, March 2022. All loans are subject to the bank’s normal lending criteria. Fees, charges, terms and conditions apply. Please consider your situation and read the Terms and Conditions, available online at www.bendigobank.com.au or upon request from any Bendigo Bank branch, before making a decision. Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited ABN 11 068 049 178 AFSL 237879 (1676698-1734981) (05/22) OUT_25512722, 05/09/2022