Gladstone Power Station

Gladstone Power Station

Power house of the Gladstone Power Station seen from helicopter
Location of the Gladstone Power Station in Queensland
Country Australia
Location Gladstone, Queensland
Coordinates 23°51′03″S 151°13′10″E / 23.85083°S 151.21944°E / -23.85083; 151.21944Coordinates: 23°51′03″S 151°13′10″E / 23.85083°S 151.21944°E / -23.85083; 151.21944
Status Operational
Commission date 1976
Construction cost $508 million
Owner(s) Rio Tinto (42.125%)
NRG Energy (37.5%)
SLMA GPS (8.50%)
Ryowa II GPS (7.125%)
YKK GPS (4.75%)
Operator(s) NRG Gladstone Operating Services
Glenn Schumacher (manager)
Thermal power station
Primary fuel Coal
Power generation
Units operational 6 x 280 MW
Make and model Parsons
Fuji
Siemens
Nameplate capacity 1,680 MW

The Gladstone Power Station is Queensland's largest power station, with six coal powered steam turbines generating a maximum of 1,680 MW of electricity.[1] Power from the station was first generated in 1976.

This fossil fuel power plant draws seawater for cooling. Black coal is brought by rail from the Curragh coal mine, 200 kilometres (120 mi) west of Rockhampton.[2]

History

Preliminary investigations into a new power station in Central Queensland began in 1968. The demand from expanding industry and the proximity to low cost coal were the major reasons for locating a large power station in the Gladstone area.[3]

The Gladstone Power Station was designed and constructed by the State Electricity Commission of Queensland.[3] A 275 kV transmission line connecting the power station to South East Queensland was to be built as well. It initially consisted of four generating sets generating 275 MW each and was to cost A$198 million. The Federal Government recognised the national importance of the power station, agreeing to contribute up to $80 million.[3]

A September 1975 report recommended the addition of two more generating units at Gladstone. This was approved by the Queensland Government in 1976. Contracts costing $81 million were placed for this expansion.[3]

The plant was privatised in 1994. It is currently owned by a group, including Rio Tinto Aluminium, NRG Energy and other Japanese partners.[4]

Emissions

Carbon Monitoring for Action estimates this power station emits 11.80 million tonnes of greenhouse gases each year as a result of burning coal.[5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Power Stations. 2007. Queensland Department of Mines and Energy. Retrieved on 2 October 2007.
  2. ↑ About us 2006. Wesfarmers. Retrieved on 2 October 2007.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Dunn, Col (1985). The History of Electricity in Queensland. Bundaberg: Col Dunn. pp. 157–161. ISBN 0-9589229-0-X.
  4. ↑ Gladstone power station Comalco. Retrieved on 2 October 2007.
  5. ↑ Gladstone. Carbon Monitoring for Action. Retrieved on 23 November 2008
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