CS Energy has completed an $85 million overhaul and capital works program at Callide B Power Station to ensure the site is ready to support Queenslander’s power needs this summer.
The works included a major overhaul of Unit B1, which returned to service on 13 December, and a shorter outage of its sister unit B2 that went back online in late October.
CS Energy delivered the overhaul with its alliance partner Downer, along with key contractors including Multivalve, Intertek, CQ Techs and Berg Engineering.
The Callide B overhaul follows a period of major capital works on the neighbouring Callide C Power Station, with the completion of the rebuild of Callide C’s two cooling towers enabling the return to service of Unit C3 in April 2024 and Unit C4 in August 2024.
CS Energy CEO Darren Busine said overhauls are major logistical exercises that involve many months of careful planning and preparation.
“We work closely with our contractors to deliver overhauls as one team, with safety always the highest priority,” Mr Busine said.
“Overhauls also bring flow-on economic benefits to the local region from the extra workers on site.
“This overhaul is estimated to have provided a boost of $25 million to the Central Queensland economy, particularly for suppliers such as accommodation providers, caterers and transport companies in the region.
“CS Energy’s focus moving forward is continuing to improve how we run our business so we can deliver safe, affordable and reliable energy for Queensland.”
The Unit B1 major overhaul included the installation of the refurbished low pressure turbine rotor, inspection and repair of the high and intermediate pressure turbines, replacement of the generator circuit breaker, and boiler and valve statutory inspections.
The Unit B2 outage enabled maintenance to be carried out on B1 and B2’s shared cooling tower, chimney and other common plant.
Background
Callide Power Station is comprised of two power plants, Callide B and C, each with two generating units (B1 and B2, C3 and C4).
Callide B has a capacity of 700 megawatts (MW) and is 100 per cent owned by CS Energy.
Callide C has a capacity of 848 MW. CS Energy (through our subsidiary Callide Energy Pty Ltd) owns Callide C in a 50/50 joint venture (JV) with IG Power. CS Energy operates Callide C on behalf of the JV.