$84M upgrades to Tarong and Callide power stations

Extensive upgrades will provide short-term employment opportunities and maintain reliable electricity for Queensland.

UPGRADES: $35 million will be spent on overhaul works and improvement projects at Stanwell's Tarong Power Station. Picture: Katherine Morris

APPROXIMATELY $35 million will be spent on overhaul works and improvement projects at Stanwell's Tarong Power Station, Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy Dr Anthony Lynham told Queensland Parliament today.

A $49 million overhaul and maintenance program also has begun at CS Energy's Callide Power Station.

The upgrades are providing employment for more than 400 Queenslanders.

"The Palaszczuk Government is focused on employment - no more so than in the energy field and in regional Queensland,'' Dr Lynham said.

"The work at Tarong will ensure the power station is well positioned to continue to provide secure and reliable electricity for Queensland heading into the summer months.　

"The project includes extensive turbine and generator overhauls, boiler and air heater inspections and repairs, as well as major electrical switchboard maintenance and motor overhauls.

Dr Lynham said locally-based contractors, including Kingaroy Hydraulics and G3 Engineering, were engaged to provide skilled labour and are undertaking parts of the project works, while fifty local people will be engaged by Stanwell's contractors for the duration of the outage.

He said businesses in the South Burnett region were providing catering, transport and accommodation for Stanwell employees and contractors during the overhaul, providing benefits to the local economy.

Tarong Power Station is one of the most reliable and low-cost generators in the Queensland Electricity Market and across the National Electricity Market.

Dr Lynham said approximately 370 contractors would be on site for the major program of works at the Callide Power Station, which will run to early December.

"The works will provide short-term employment opportunities for people with the skills and expertise required to undertake maintenance and upgrades to the power station.

"Principal overhaul contractor MHPS has brought a range of contractors to site, including electricians, boiler makers, riggers, fitters, welders, scaffolders and crane drivers.

"The contractors will work alongside the power station's permanent workforce and are being accommodated at motels and caravan parks in Biloela, bringing $4 million in flow-on economic benefits to the region.''

Dr Lynham said Queensland had surplus generating capacity - more than enough to cover the essential overhauls and maintenance.

"This is essential work, being taken to ensure continuity and reliability of supply for Queensland and creating employment and added prosperity to our regions.”