Callide coal-fired generator offline for urgent maintenance

A crucial state-owned coal-fired generator - which has been offline since Tuesday - will be switched off for days longer than expected, it can be revealed.

The Callide Power Station. Picture: William Debois

A crucial state-owned coal-fired generator will be switched off for days longer than expected after it was discovered a component used for ensuring parts were behaving properly was faulty.

CS Energy’s Callide Unit B1 has been offline since 9.30pm on Tuesday January 14 after crews “potential issue during a routine fortnightly test of safety systems”.

The embattled government-owned company initially told the national electricity market Unit B1 would be back on January 16.

But a CS Energy spokeswoman confirmed the return to service date was now shifted to January 19.

This was after inspections of the unit confirmed the initial diagnosis—a faulty valve—was incorrect.

Instead a component used to test the valve needed minor repairs.

The outage of Callide Unit B1 comes just a month after a major overhaul was completed at the Callide B power station.

According to CS Energy the overhaul at B1 included the installation of the refurbished low pressure turbine rotor, inspection and repair of the high and intermediate pressure turbines, replacement of the generator circuit breaker, and boiler and valve statutory inspections.

“CS Energy’s focus moving forward is continuing to improve how we run our business so we can deliver safe, affordable and reliable energy for Queensland,” CS Energy chief executive Darren Busine said at the time.

Callide Power Station’s battery storage.

The Bureau of Meteorology reissued an extreme heatwave warning on Thursday for the state’s north, central coast and the Whitsunday.

A severe heatwave warning is also in place for Townsville, Rockhampton, and the central and north west.

On Thursday temperatures are set to reach 36C in Brisbane and stay warm through the evening — in conditions set to put a strain on the state’s electricity grid as Queenslanders blast their airconditioning and fans.

The outage of Callide Unit B1 comes just a month after a major overhaul was completed at the Callide B power station.

According to CS Energy the overhaul at B1 included the installation of the refurbished low pressure turbine rotor, inspection and repair of the high and intermediate pressure turbines, replacement of the generator circuit breaker, and boiler and valve statutory inspections.

“CS Energy’s focus moving forward is continuing to improve how we run our business so we can deliver safe, affordable and reliable energy for Queensland,” CS Energy chief executive Darren Busine said at the time.

Originally published as Callide coal-fired generator offline for urgent maintenance