Kogan Creek Power Project runs performance tests

Performance tests currently being carried out at the new $1.2 billion Kogan Creek Power Station has seen the power station put full load into the national electricity grid on a number of occasions.

Minister for Mines and Energy Geoff Wilson told parliament today the 750 MW power station is the newest base-load power station being developed in Queensland by the Beattie Government through CS Energy.

“As part of the testing phase, Kogan Creek began generating power into the grid in May,” he said.

“Commercial handover of the station to CS Energy will be in time to meet the summer electricity load.

“Kogan Creek is air-cooled instead of wet-cooled, using one tenth of the water used by its wet-cooled counterparts, with water drawn from adjacent deep well bores,” Mr Wilson said.

Mr Wilson said the power station, along with a major new transmission line that Powerlink is building, would ensure a reliable and secure electricity network for south-east Queensland.

“These projects are another sign of the Beattie Government delivering critical infrastructure solutions to meet the future needs of all Queenslanders,” he said.

“Kogan Creek is fired by black coal from Queensland.

“Make no mistake, coal will continue to play a role in the global electricity mix. And the Labor party has its lights on.

“ClimateSmart 2050 includes a new investment of $414 million including $300 million for our Climate Change Fund and $114 million for further initiatives – all underpinned by a strong commitment to our coal industry.

“Add that to Qld’s $300 million for clean-coal technology and industry contributions of $600 million – that’s $1.3 billion.

“Federal Labor has also shown foresight and has backed its bold clean coal initiative with a $500 million funding commitment.

“All up, Federal Labor has pledged three times more than the Howard Government.

“Kevin Rudd has a plan that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and protects our $23 billion coal export industry.

“The Howard Coalition Government prefers to back brown coal projects in Victoria.

“Brown coal is the dirtiest coal in the country with around 30% higher greenhouse gas emissions – it’s basically sludge.

“That’s why we’re on the front foot and John Howard and his cronies in Canberra are stuck in the mud.

Media contact: Brooke Johnson 3224 7332