Melbourne, 28 November 2007
Australia’s largest single power generating unit at Kogan Creek, built by an international consortium led by Siemens and Hitachi, has been officially opened by the Premier of Queensland, Hon Anna Bligh MP, and Queensland’s Minister for Mines and Energy, Hon Geoffrey Wilson MP at the site near Chinchilla, 250 kilometres west of Brisbane.
Owned and operated by CS Energy, the coal-fired power plant will utilise 2.8 million tonnes per annum of coal from the nearby Kogan Creek coal deposit and is powered by a Siemens 750 MW steam turbine generator set.
Operating as a base load station, Kogan Creek will deliver electricity to the national grid 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Speaking on behalf of the consortium, Albert Goller, Chairman and Managing Director, Siemens Ltd, Australia and New Zealand, confirmed Kogan Creek power station as the most efficient steam power plant in Australia.
“This plant uses 90 per cent less water than a conventional wet cooled power station, through the application of best-practice dry cooling technology and water management practices,” Mr Goller said.
“Greenhouse gas production will be reduced by the dry cooling system which also significantly lowers the risk of power output restrictions during times of drought.
“Working with Hitachi, Siemens has been able to deliver a state-of-the-art solution to the challenges posed by such an extended infrastructure project.”
The plant’s overall design was based on Siemens Varioplant Steam Power Plant concept, which combines the elements of experience, optimisation and cutting-edge development to create a design which is then adapted to suit the size of the particular station, whether it be 500, 700 or 900 MW.
CS Energy Chairman Stephen Lonie acknowledged the efforts of the many people who had worked on the project including CS Energy staff, mine developer and operator Golding Contractors, Siemens and Hitachi and many sub contractors.
“Together, these people worked approximately four million hours on this massive project,” Mr Lonie said.
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said that around 1,000 workers were employed during peak construction of the power station. The power station employs 40 permanent staff and around 50 workers at the mine.
“Kogan Creek will set a benchmark for the environment performance of coal-fired power stations. It’s right on time to meet peak power demands this summer,” Ms Bligh said.
A 28 kilometre, 275kV transmission line connects the power station to the National Electricity Market at the Braemar sub station on the Qld-NSW Interconnector (QNI).
Managing 70 per cent of the project scope, Siemens was responsible for the site infrastructure including all buildings, the steam turbine generator set, station control system, electrical systems including the high voltage switchyard, and the balance of plant systems such as coal and ash handling and water treatment plant and air-cooled condenser.