The Callide C Power Station joint venture (JV) has again pushed back the return to service date for Unit C4 from 22 July to 31 August 2024.
On 25 May 2021 an incident occurred on Unit C4 at Callide Power Station that caused extensive damage to the unit and had a significant impact on the transmission network. The power station was safely evacuated and no one was injured.
Related article: Callide C4 incident “could not have been anticipated
CS Energy CEO Darren Busine said the change in date was necessary to provide additional time for testing and quality assurance for safely returning Unit C4 to operation.
“This is the first time in Queensland a major generating unit and its cooling tower have been completely rebuilt and integrated with existing infrastructure,” Busine said.
“It is also nearly 20 years since a new coal-fired generator and cooling tower was put into service in Queensland, which was at Kogan Creek Power Station.
“For many of our people at Callide, this is the first time they have been involved in the commissioning of a new coal-fired generator and they have my full support in taking all the necessary precautions to ensure that C4 is returned to service in a safe and methodical manner.
“While this is a complex and challenging project, we are making good progress. The final electrical rectification works on C4 have been completed and construction of the new C4 cooling tower is progressing to schedule.
“The cooling tower basin has been filled, and cooling water is circulating in preparation for providing the required cooling to support commissioning of C4.”
Callide Power Station is comprised of two power plants, Callide B and C, each with two generating units (B1 and B2, C3 and C4).
Related article: New pultruded cooling towers for Callide
Three of Callide’s four generating units are operational—units B1, B2 and C3 are all generating electricity.
Callide Energy owns Callide C in a 50/50 joint venture with IG Power Limited. CS Energy operates Callide C on behalf of the JV.
