Multi-million dollar upgrade for Stanwell power station

An $89-million upgrade of Stanwell’s low-pressure turbines and generators will lead to bigger and better electricity generation and will cut greenhouse gas emissions by about 40,000 tonnes a year, Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson said today.

Mr Wilson, announcing the upgrade at Stanwell Power Station in Central Queensland, said the five-year upgrade would start in 2008 and would boost generation capacity in each of Stanwell’s four generating units by eight megawatts (MW).

“When completed, Stanwell Power Station will have a total generation capacity of 1464MW which will help meet the cost-competitive and sustainable electricity needs of Queensland’s fast-growing economy,” Mr Wilson said.

The work includes the replacement of low-pressure turbine rotors, blades and diaphragms and the rewinding of generators.

Mr Wilson also inspected the recently completed $1.8 million extension to the Stanwell Power Station’s workshop.

“The extension includes an addition to the existing workshop, relocating a 25-tonne crane to allow full dismantling of mill components and a new washdown area, including an oil/waste separation system,” he said.

“Rockhampton-based company JM Kelly, one of Stanwell Power Station’s original contractors, delivered the workshop extension, and Central Queensland contractors performed about 7000 hours of on-site labour.

“As well, more than 80 tonnes of structural steel was fabricated in Rockhampton for the extension project.”

“It’s good news for the region. This is about creating jobs and providing job security for local workers,” Mr Wilson said.

The Minister said the capital expenditure at Stanwell was part of significant capital investment in the electricity network by the Beattie Government and its Government-Owned Corporations.

“This year, our Government-Owned Corporations will invest $2.856 billion dollars in capital expenditure, the second successive year of record investment by Government-Owned Corporations in the energy supply system.”

Mr Wilson said the record investment would help Queensland keep ahead of an expected electricity demand growth of 7.5 percent a year over the next two years.

Media Inquiries: Ellen McIntyre 3225 1819