Render of Brigalow Peaking Power Plant

Brigalow Peaking Power Plant 

Fast Facts

  • Gas peaker, 400 MW capacity
  • Fast start – 5 minutes from cold to full output
  • Capacity to power more than 150,000 Queensland homes during peak periods
  • Hydrogen capable turbines
  • Located on the traditional lands of the Barunggam people
  • Forecast to be operational in 2027

Project overview

The Brigalow Peaking Power Project is a proposed natural gas power station that will provide firming capacity for peak electricity demand periods and complement variable wind and solar energy.

The project will be built next to CS Energy's Kogan Creek Power Station near Chinchilla in the Western Downs. This region is critical to Queensland's energy supply system and offers excellent connections into the existing power grid.

Render of Brigalow Peaking Power Plant
Image: A render of the proposed Brigalow Peaking Power Plant (foreground) with the existing Kogan Creek Power Station in the background.

Kogan Energy Hub
Image: The Brigalow Peaking Power Plant (right) will be the latest project in the  Kogan Energy Hub, which is co-located with Kogan Creek Power Station. The hub also includes the Chinchilla Battery (far left) and the Kogan Renewable Hydrogen Demonstration Plant (centre).

How it works

The Brigalow Peaking Power Plant will be fuelled by natural gas that will be transported to site via a proposed 21-kilometre APA pipeline that would connect to the existing Roma to Brisbane Pipeline.

The power plant will have an open cycle design and use hydrogen capable gas turbines (12 x GE Vernova LM2500XPRESS). Future operations of the power plant using a hydrogen and natural gas blend will be subject to the commercial availability of renewable hydrogen.

The Brigalow Peaking Power Plant will be a reliable source of fast power when needed. With its ability for multiple start/stop cycles per day and to ramp up to full power output within five minutes, the plant for can be on the grid quickly to provide sustained power output during peak demand periods. This is important in helping to address the variability of renewable energy generation and providing firm capacity to the grid in addition to the role of batteries and pumped hydro.

Timeline

2023:

  • Site selection and initial design and surveys for the power island site were completed.
  • CS Energy signed an agreement with GE Vernova for the supply of long lead time equipment for the power plant.

2024:

  • CS Energy and APA Group signed a Design and Development Agreement for the pipeline to connect the power plant to APA's Roma Brisbane Pipeline.
  • Planning and development work for the power plant continued.

Looking ahead:

  • External and government approvals, and a final investment decision are expected in 2025, with site mobilisation to follow.
  • The power plant is forecast to be operational in 2027.

Community

CS Energy will keep our immediate neighbours and the Chinchilla community informed as this project progresses.

For more information send us an email or download the Brigalow Peaking Power Plant fact sheet (PDF 2.2MB).


Topic Index

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  1. About the Brigalow Peaking Power Plant
  2. More information

About the Brigalow Peaking Power Plant

The Brigalow Peaking Power Plant will consist of a compact power station footprint (350m x 150m). It will be built on previously cleared land within the existing Kogan Creek Power Station site boundaries. 


 

With its fast-start ability, the Brigalow Peaking Power station will provide on-demand electricity for high demand periods and support variable solar and wind energy.

 

Natural gas will be transported to the Brigalow Peaking Power Plant via a proposed 21-kilometre pipeline that would connect to APA Group's existing Roma Brisbane Pipeline.

Future operations of the power plant using a hydrogen and natural gas blend will be subject to the commercial availability of renewable hydrogen. 

 

The open cycle design of the technology chosen provides the ability for multiple start/stop cycles per day and the ability to ramp up to full power output within five minutes, meaning the plant can be on the grid quickly and stay on for long durations. This is important in helping to address the variability of renewable energy generation and providing firm capacity to the grid in addition to the role of batteries and pumped hydro. The turbines will also be capable of operating in ‘synchronous condenser’ mode, which enables them to provide system strength and grid support during times of high renewables output without burning gas. 

 

 

More information

The project will be capable of producing up to 400 MW of power. This is enough capacity to power more than 150,000 average Queensland homes during peak periods. 

 

 

Hydrogen is the most common chemical element in the world. 

It can be produced in liquid or gas form and can be used as fuel for heating or transport, a raw material in industrial processes, or to generate electricity. 

Green hydrogen is produced using a process called electrolysis, during which a clean energy source such as solar or wind power is used to produce a current which separates the hydrogen and oxygen molecules in water (H2O). When this hydrogen is burned, water is the only by-product emitted. Green hydrogen produces no carbon emissions, making it an exciting prospect for meeting the world’s future energy needs. 

 

Extensive studies have been completed to inform the project design. The development is subject to receipt of local, state, and federal planning and environmental approvals, as well as a final investment decision by CS Energy which is expected in 2025.