I tend to agree with you. I really can't see an expansion of the...

I tend to agree with you. I really can't see an expansion of the solar farm being viable before the pumped hydro is completed. However once completed, there is definitely value in having extra solar panels there. My guess is that the expansion of the solar will be delayed until the pumped hydro component is close to completion. The solar component may even be downsized slightly to avoid too much export into the grid. The real value of the solar would to be to avoid MLFs from pumping operations, and instead source the electricity on-site.

Wind makes sense for merchant operations or a PPA, but is not as useful for pumping operations because of the high variability - solar in that region is consistent and reliable and a far better resource to rely on for pumping operations. Therefore, the development of KDWF does not need to be tied to the development of the pumped hydro project and could go ahead earlier.