Drought proof generator powers Queensland growth
Published Tuesday, 27 November, 2007 at 01:07 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Minister for Mines and Energy
The Honourable Geoff Wilson
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
Kogan Creek: Premier Anna Bligh and Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson today opened the country’s newest power station that produces enough electricity to power a million homes.
Premier Bligh said the $1.2 billion, 750 megawatt Kogan Creek power station near Chinchilla in south west Queensland, was one of the country’s most efficient coal-fired power stations.
“Kogan Creek will set a benchmark for the environmental performance of coal-fired power stations. It’s right on time to meet peak power demands this summer.
“This is about delivering the electricity we need to get on with our daily lives,” she said.
“Kogan Creek is air-cooled and uses one tenth of the water of conventional power stations, and the limited amount of water used is drawn from adjacent deep well bores.
“It also produces 22 per cent fewer emissions than conventional coal-fired power stations,” she said.
Premier Bligh said that around 1,000 workers were employed during peak construction of the power station last year. The power station employs 40 permanent staff and the mine a further 50 workers.
“The Downs has been hit hard by the drought and this project has been a real shot in the arm for the people who live and work here. It’s given them jobs and job security.
“On top of that, it’s delivering a long-term, reliable and secure power supply for all Queenslanders,” Ms Bligh said.
“I’m also excited by the prospect of being able to retrofit the power station with clean coal technology in the future.
“CS Energy, the government-owned corporation that owns Kogan Creek, is also developing the world’s first oxyfuel project at Callide.
“It’s expected to demonstrate that our coal fleet can be retro-fitted with oxyfuel technology which will achieve even deeper cuts to carbon emissions
“Coal-fired power stations are increasingly under the spotlight in the global debate on climate change,” Ms Bligh said.
“We have to strike the right balance between the need to look after the environment and the need to protect the jobs of the 18,600 men and women who work in our coal industry.
“Queensland is seen as a leader in adopting highly-efficient coal-fired power generation systems.
“We’re investing $300 million in clean coal technology. The mining industry has recognised our commitment with a $600 million injection – all up that’s $900 million to develop clean coal technology.
“We take our responsibilities seriously and have come up with sensible, workable solutions that we believe strike the right balance,” Ms Bligh said.
Kogan Creek will also capture 99.9 per cent of its ash with special fabric filter bags that work like giant vacuum cleaners. The captured ash will be stored underground at neighbouring Kogan Creek Mine, where it will be covered and revegetated.
The good quality of the Kogan coal eliminates the need for washing which means further water savings.
Mr Wilson said Kogan Creek Power Station led an energy boom on the Darling Downs. It’s shaping up be the powerhouse for the state with its rapidly developing coal seam gas industry.
“Gas could well hold the key as a transitional fuel source while emerging renewable energy and clean coal technologies are being developed,” Mr Wilson said.
“Coal seam gas is a clean energy source and it’s in abundance here in the Surat Basin.
“Our world leading 13% gas scheme is playing a leading role in boosting the coal seam gas industry. It requires electricity retailers to source 13% of their electricity from gas-fired generation. Under ClimateSmart 2050 we will increase this to 18% by 2020.
“We have around 3,000 megawatts of gas-fired generation projects on the drawing board.
“Gas is going full steam ahead and the Bligh Government is backing it all the way,” Mr Wilson said.
Media Inquiries: Premier’s Office 3224 4500
Minister’s Office 3225 1819
Premier Bligh said the $1.2 billion, 750 megawatt Kogan Creek power station near Chinchilla in south west Queensland, was one of the country’s most efficient coal-fired power stations.
“Kogan Creek will set a benchmark for the environmental performance of coal-fired power stations. It’s right on time to meet peak power demands this summer.
“This is about delivering the electricity we need to get on with our daily lives,” she said.
“Kogan Creek is air-cooled and uses one tenth of the water of conventional power stations, and the limited amount of water used is drawn from adjacent deep well bores.
“It also produces 22 per cent fewer emissions than conventional coal-fired power stations,” she said.
Premier Bligh said that around 1,000 workers were employed during peak construction of the power station last year. The power station employs 40 permanent staff and the mine a further 50 workers.
“The Downs has been hit hard by the drought and this project has been a real shot in the arm for the people who live and work here. It’s given them jobs and job security.
“On top of that, it’s delivering a long-term, reliable and secure power supply for all Queenslanders,” Ms Bligh said.
“I’m also excited by the prospect of being able to retrofit the power station with clean coal technology in the future.
“CS Energy, the government-owned corporation that owns Kogan Creek, is also developing the world’s first oxyfuel project at Callide.
“It’s expected to demonstrate that our coal fleet can be retro-fitted with oxyfuel technology which will achieve even deeper cuts to carbon emissions
“Coal-fired power stations are increasingly under the spotlight in the global debate on climate change,” Ms Bligh said.
“We have to strike the right balance between the need to look after the environment and the need to protect the jobs of the 18,600 men and women who work in our coal industry.
“Queensland is seen as a leader in adopting highly-efficient coal-fired power generation systems.
“We’re investing $300 million in clean coal technology. The mining industry has recognised our commitment with a $600 million injection – all up that’s $900 million to develop clean coal technology.
“We take our responsibilities seriously and have come up with sensible, workable solutions that we believe strike the right balance,” Ms Bligh said.
Kogan Creek will also capture 99.9 per cent of its ash with special fabric filter bags that work like giant vacuum cleaners. The captured ash will be stored underground at neighbouring Kogan Creek Mine, where it will be covered and revegetated.
The good quality of the Kogan coal eliminates the need for washing which means further water savings.
Mr Wilson said Kogan Creek Power Station led an energy boom on the Darling Downs. It’s shaping up be the powerhouse for the state with its rapidly developing coal seam gas industry.
“Gas could well hold the key as a transitional fuel source while emerging renewable energy and clean coal technologies are being developed,” Mr Wilson said.
“Coal seam gas is a clean energy source and it’s in abundance here in the Surat Basin.
“Our world leading 13% gas scheme is playing a leading role in boosting the coal seam gas industry. It requires electricity retailers to source 13% of their electricity from gas-fired generation. Under ClimateSmart 2050 we will increase this to 18% by 2020.
“We have around 3,000 megawatts of gas-fired generation projects on the drawing board.
“Gas is going full steam ahead and the Bligh Government is backing it all the way,” Mr Wilson said.
Media Inquiries: Premier’s Office 3224 4500
Minister’s Office 3225 1819