Genex Power
Communications infrastructure for Australia’s landmark Kidston Pumped Hydro Project.
+ satelliteDiverse backhaul with satellite backup
Wi-FiConnectivity for the construction workforce
voiceMobile coverage across key project areas
About The Client
Genex Power is the developer of the Kidston Clean Energy Hub in North Queensland, one of Australia’s most ambitious renewable energy projects. Located on the site of the former Kidston Gold Mine, the Kidston Pumped Storage Hydro Project is a large-scale renewable energy development comprising pumped hydro generation, solar generation and supporting infrastructure in an extremely remote part of northern Queensland.
The Business Challenge
The Kidston project is located approximately 270 kilometres north-west of Townsville, in a remote area with limited telecommunications infrastructure and challenging environmental conditions.
To support construction and future operations, Genex required a communications solution capable of servicing:
- Construction offices
- Site administration facilities
- Accommodation villages
- SCADA and operational technology systems
- Project personnel
- Remote monitoring systems
- Voice and data communications across a geographically dispersed project area
The solution needed to provide reliable, high-capacity communications despite the project’s remote location, while supporting the project’s transition from development through construction and into operations.
Resilient, diverse backhaul for a remote project
Hover over (or tap) each part of the network to see what it does.
Why it matters: with dual fibre and satellite backup, construction, commissioning and operations stay connected even if a path is lost.
The Business Solution
MarchNet has worked alongside Genex throughout multiple stages of the Kidston development, providing communications consulting, design, deployment and operational support.
Communications Strategy & Project Development
MarchNet’s early involvement ensured telecommunications infrastructure was considered alongside broader project development activities, supporting the project through each stage:
- Desktop design
- Feasibility studies
- Telecoms planning
- Project financing support
- Construction implementation
High-Speed WAN Infrastructure
MarchNet designed and deployed a resilient WAN platform supporting critical project communications. The solution includes:
- High-speed data services
- Diverse backhaul architecture
- Dual fibre connectivity
- Satellite backup services
- WAN connectivity across multiple operational areas
This architecture provides resilient connectivity between key project facilities and external networks.
Accommodation Village Connectivity
To support the large construction workforce, MarchNet deployed communications services into the accommodation village, ensuring project personnel have reliable access to communications and internet services while working in a remote environment:
- Village-wide Wi-Fi
- User connectivity services
- Backhaul infrastructure
- Central management & monitoring
Operational Communications & SCADA Support
The network was designed to support both construction and long-term operational requirements. MarchNet communications infrastructure supports:
MarchNet delivered Optus LTE voice coverage across key project areas, ensuring reliable mobile communications for personnel operating across the site.
The Business Outcome
The Kidston project now benefits from an integrated communications platform supporting one of Australia’s most significant renewable energy developments. Benefits delivered include:
- Remote Reliability: Reliable communications in an extremely remote location.
- High-Capacity WAN: High-speed connectivity across the project’s operational areas.
- Resilient Backhaul: Dual fibre paths with satellite backup.
- Connected Workforce: Accommodation village Wi-Fi and connectivity.
- Voice Coverage: Optus LTE voice coverage across key project areas.
- Operational Support: Communications for SCADA and operational systems.
- Built for Growth: Infrastructure capable of supporting future operational growth.
The communications platform provides the foundation upon which construction, commissioning and future operations can be successfully delivered.
“Engaging MarchNet as our telecommunications partner for the K2-Hydro project has been a great decision for Genex. MarchNet have been knowledgeable, transparent, and innovative in their approach to the project, always pushing through obstacles to get us the outcome we need in a very remote and challenging location. The result for us has been cost certainty throughout the process, and we will end up with a high-quality, fit-for-purpose technology solution which is beyond what we imagined was possible.”
- Kidston Pumped Storage Hydro Project
- Partner from planning through construction
- High-speed WAN infrastructure
- Dual fibre backhaul paths
- Satellite backup services
- Accommodation village Wi-Fi
- Optus LTE voice coverage
- SCADA & OT support
- Remote renewable energy infrastructure
- North Queensland
