A $60 million overhaul program is running at Callide Power Station from June to November 2020, creating work for about 140 Queensland contractors and $6 million in flow-on benefits to Biloela.
Energy Minister Dr Anthony Lynham announced the overhaul works in a media release, saying the overhauls would also bring up to 60 specialist interstate contractors to Biloela under strict hygiene and safety measures in place to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
“The overhaul will create jobs for electricians, boilermakers, riggers, fitters, welders, scaffolders and crane drivers as well as interstate specialist weld testers and generator circuit breaker technicians,” Dr Lynham said.
“The overhaul workforce will take up rooms in our local accommodation across the Banana Shire, eat in local restaurants and spend their days off relaxing and supporting cafes, restaurants, pubs, clubs and other businesses.
“That’s extra customers and dollars coming through the doors until the overhaul ends on 30 November, supporting local jobs.”
COVID-19 controls
CS Energy has comprehensive measures in place in response to COVID-19 to help keep power station workers and communities safe. Since earlier this year, CS Energy has been implementing its Pandemic Response Plan, which includes social distancing, hygiene protocols and increased cleaning measures.
As there will be extra workers on site for these overhauls, CS Energy has worked closely with Queensland Health on extra COVID-safe measures to help keep power station workers and communities safe. These include:
- limits for the number of people in work spaces, crib huts and buses to and from site
- increased cleaning and staggered meal breaks
- extra hygiene stations around site
- controls around lifts, and
- all workers signing a COVID-19 declaration before attending site.
Most of the overhaul contractors are from Queensland, along with some specialist contractors from interstate.
Overhaul works
CS Energy is overhauling the B1 and C4 generating units at Callide Power Station to ensure they operate safely and reliably, particularly over the summer peak demand period.
While the overhauls are underway, the power station’s two remaining units will continue to generate electricity and there is plenty of spare capacity at other power stations in Queensland.
CS Energy plans to have the overhauls completed by the end of November so Callide Power Station is in prime condition ready for summer.
The major contractors for the overhauls are Downer and Intertek (B1) and Downer, Intertek and Solaft (C4).
Callide Power Station is comprised of two power plants, Callide B and C, each with two generating units, and has a permanent workforce of 260 employees. CS Energy owns 100 percent of Callide B and owns Callide C in a 50/50 joint venture with InterGen.