Gaza war to delay Qld power station coming back online

One of the state’s biggest power generators will remain offline for weeks longer than scheduled amid multiple issues, some related to the war in Gaza.

One of the state’s biggest power generators will remain offline for weeks longer than scheduled amid weather, illness, and supply chain issues sparked in part by freight carriers being diverted to the humanitarian effort in the Gaza Strip.

Unit C3 at the Callide Power Station – Queensland’s fifth largest coal-fired power station – was due to come online from January 7 and hit full operation by February 18.

But state-owned CS Energy, part owner of Callide C, informed the energy market on Tuesday C3’s partial return date was now January 24. The full operation date is unchanged.

Energy Minister Mick de Brenni said the state’s energy system had “adequate supply” to get Queensland through a sweltering summer. It’s expected Queensland’s all-time electricity demand record will be broken in the summer months.

CS Energy chief executive Darren Busine said it was unlikely the delay in getting C3 online would have a “major impact” on wholesale prices.

“We’re not expecting this at this time of year to have a significant impact on wholesale prices, given the supply generation and the demand,” he said.

Mr Busine said the delay was due to local challenges including weather and workers being felled by Covid-19.

Global supply chains include assigned freight carriers being diverted to assist with the humanitarian efforts in the Gaza Strip.

The components required to rebuild the cooling towers at C3 which partially failed in October 2022 are now in Queensland.

Mr de Brenni said the setback was “minor”.

An independent investigation into Callide Unit C4, which exploded in May 2021 and plunged swathes of the state into darkness, is being finalised. C4 will return in July 2024.