CS Energy has advised Callide C Power Station Units C3 and C4 will not be operational until 2024 after evaluating the return to service options in response to the partial structural failure of the tower in October 2022.
In November 2022 external engineering experts were appointed to assess the condition of the cooling tower, investigate the root cause of the incident and what needed to be done to safely return the unit to service.
Related article: Callide remains offline as urgent repairs underway
While the C4 cooling tower was not damaged in the incident, external engineering experts were also asked to provide a condition assessment of the C4 cooling tower as it is of the same design and age.
“The change in return to service dates reflects CS Energy’s support for rebuilding both cooling towers. CS Energy’s position is based on a scope of work incorporating both cooling towers and tenders CS Energy has received from contractors. We are currently working this through with our JV partner,” CS Energy said in a statement.
Recovery works on Unit C4 are continuing following a separate incident in May 2021.
Related article: External engineers investigate Callide cooling tower incident
Callide Power Station has a permanent workforce of 226 people and is comprised of two power plants, Callide B and C, each with two generating units (B1 and B2, C3 and C4).
CS Energy owns 100 per cent of Callide B and owns Callide C in a 50/50 joint venture (JV) with Genuity.
