Queensland on target to meet future electricity demand

Minister for Mines and Energy Geoff Wilson told State Parliament today that Queensland had a number of big new projects in the pipeline to meet the state’s electricity needs.

“We’ve got enough generating capacity to meet our electricity demand now, and well into the future,” Mr Wilson said.

“And that’s because good governments, and responsible governments, plan for the future,” he said.

The National Electricity Market Management Company (NEMMCO) has released its annual report on the 10 year supply and demand of electricity right across the national grid.

Its conclusions are based on the status of power generation projects as of May this year.

The report said that Queensland would need an extra 218 megawatts of power to meet peak demand in the summer of 2009/2010.

“We’ve got those extra megawatts and more. New projects have come on line since the May cut-off date of the report,” Mr Wilson said.

“Three significant projects have been announced since then and they will be up and running for the summer of 2009/2010,” he said.

The Minister said ERM’s 450 megawatt Braemar power station was expected to be commissioned in mid 2009 and Queensland Gas Company’s 150 megawatt Condamine power station was scheduled to be fully operational by August that year.

“Origin Energy’s 630MW Darling Downs power station is expected to be fully operational in early 2010,” he said.

“If you take all that extra generating capacity into account, Queensland has sufficient generation capacity well into the next decade.

“There’s a further 2,000 megawatts of power in the pipeline for the long term. All up, that's an extra 3,000 megawatts,” he said.

Minister Wilson said the State Government would also continue to maintain a close watch on water use by power stations in south east Queensland.

“We can’t forget that we are still in the grip of the worst drought on record Australia-wide and we have contingency plans. A responsible government would do nothing less,” he said.

“Tarong has had two generating units off line since April this year to save water at its main water supply, the purpose-built Boondooma Dam.

“In March I announced contingency plans that included Tarong bringing extra units back on line when needed.

“After welcome rain in recent months, and the water savings made by generators, Tarong Energy is now in a position to bring its generating unit back on line for this summer’s peak demand.

“Those generators can be ramped up to full capacity at a moment’s notice.

“This is about striking the right balance between the need to save water and the need to provide a reliable and secure bulk power supply for the people of south east Queensland,” Mr Wilson said.

Media Inquiries: Ellen McIntyre 3225 1819