Updated 3.55pm
CS Energy and APA Group have formalised an agreement for the delivery and operation of the Brigalow Peaking Power Plant on the Western Downs.
The gas-fired power plant will operate alongside the Kogan Creek Power Station and Chinchilla Battery to support energy supply for Queensland.
Once operational, the plant will be capable of supplying energy to more than 150,000 homes during peak demand periods, helping strengthen electricity reliability as Queensland’s energy needs grow.
Its fast-start technology will allow the plant to reach full electrical output within five minutes, providing flexible capacity to support the grid when it is needed most.
Early project works are now complete, GE Vernova is delivering the gas turbines and Balance of Plant contractor Monadelphous is now moving forward to deliver main construction works.
Image: The construction site for the Brigalow Peaking Power Plant (foreground), with the operational Kogan Creek Power Station in the background.
APA will deliver a 23-kilometre gas pipeline to connect the power plant to the existing Roma Brisbane pipeline, while Senex will supply up to 58.4 petajoules of natural gas from its Atlas development in the Surat Basin.
CS Energy Chief Executive Officer Stephen Harty said the Brigalow Peaking Power Plant aligned with the Queensland Energy Roadmap’s requirement for more dispatchable electricity that can be switched on quickly in response to demand.
“CS Energy is proud to be partnering with APA to deliver the Brigalow Peaking Power Plant and help future-proof Queensland’s electricity system,” Mr Harty said.
“The project will deliver 400 megawatts of fast-start generation, helping to maintain reliability, manage peak demand and support the continued integration of renewable energy into the grid.
“Flexible gas generation has an important role to play in Queensland’s future energy mix because it can provide longer duration firming support with significantly less emissions than coal-fired generation.
“Together with CS Energy’s coal-fired generation and renewable energy offtake arrangements, Brigalow will strengthen our ability to continue delivering affordable, reliable and sustainable energy for Queensland.”
APA will lead the delivery of the project and acquire an 80 per cent interest in the asset. Once complete, CS Energy will operate and maintain the power plant and retain a 20 per cent ownership interest.
APA’s share of the plant will be contracted to CS Energy under a 25-year hedge offtake agreement, meaning CS Energy will have 100 per cent of the plant’s offtake.
The Brigalow Peaking Power Plant is expected to become operational in early 2029.
Image: Gas turbine exhaust stacks being unloaded at the Brigalow site last week.
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