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June 6 (Reuters) - Australia's Genex Power GNX.AX on Thursday said Japan's J-Power 9513.T will invest up to A$25 million ($17.4 million) in the company to fund the construction of a key pumped storage hydro project in northern Queensland.
The Kidston pumped hydro project is a 250 MW power generation project proposed by Genex, which is looking to complete construction by 2022. hydro acts like a giant battery, pumping water uphill when energy is abundant and releasing it to create power at night or on a windless day.
The technology can help soak up excess wind and solar energy and would aid in solving Australia's power woes which have caused a string of blackouts in big cities in Australia's south.
As a part of the deal, J-Power will provide technical expertise to Genex and will also nominate a director to the company's board.
"The investment by J-Power is an important milestone, as it secures the funding required for Genex's equity component for K2-Hydro, which is being developed in a 50:50 partnership with EnergyAustralia," Genex Chief Executive James Harding said in a statement.
The agreement is subject to approval by Genex shareholders.
($1 = 1.4347 Australian dollars)