Marmora Pumped Storage Project

The Marmora Pumped Storage Project is a groundbreaking endeavor that capitalizes on the reclamation of the former Marmoraton iron Mine, closed in the late 1970s. This proposed 400 MW generation facility reimagines the site's potential by utilizing the abandoned open pit, now filled with groundwater and precipitation, as the Lower Reservoir. Simultaneously, the waste rock pile will be expertly reshaped to form the Upper Reservoir, enclosed by a rockfill embankment dam.

At the heart of this project is a closed-loop system that makes use of the water in the open pit. The hydraulic circuit, entirely concealed underground, encompasses a vertical power shaft, a high-pressure tunnel or penstock, a pump/turbines cavern, and a tailrace tunnel. To ensure efficient operation and maintenance, essential infrastructure elements are integrated, including a permanent access tunnel, secondary tunnels, a vertical busbar shaft, and a ventilation shaft.

In terms of capacity, the system is engineered to hold a live storage of 4.43 million cubic meters of water. The upper reservoir's invert presently stands at 225 meters above sea level, with a full supply level at 245 meters above sea level, providing a 20-meter range in operating water levels. Meanwhile, the lower reservoir's invert is positioned at -6 meters above sea level, with a planned full supply level at 72.96 meters above sea level, delivering a substantial 65-meter range in operating water levels.

To support the infrastructure's functionality, a range of surface facilities will be constructed. Access roads will ensure easy entry and exit, while site grading will be optimized for efficiency and safety. An administrative building will serve as a central hub for project operations, and necessary interconnections to the grid will be established, further enhancing the project's energy distribution capabilities.

The Marmora Pumped Storage Project stands as a testament to innovation in civil engineering, offering a sustainable energy solution by repurposing a disused mine site and harnessing the power of water in a closed-loop system. It not only promises to provide 400 MW of clean energy but also serves as a model for repurposing and revitalizing industrial sites for the benefit of the environment and the community.