CS Energy has wrapped up the largest maintenance overhaul in the history of Callide Power Station with the return to service of Unit C3 yesterday, helping to strengthen Queensland’s electricity supply ahead of peak summer demand.
The $80 million overhaul of Unit C3, which was backed by the Electricity Maintenance Guarantee, ran for just under three months and had a peak workforce of approximately 400 people.
The recently appointed Callide Power Station General Manager, Malcolm Bambling said it was important to carry out the overhaul ahead of summer to ensure the unit is ready to provide safe and reliable energy for Queenslanders.
“The Callide Unit C3 overhaul was a huge undertaking that included significant works on a range of equipment, including the generator and boiler,” Mr Bambling said.
“Approximately 250,000 hours were worked and more than 800 individual work packs were completed.
“These works provided flow-on benefits to the community, as workers stayed in the Biloela region and utilised local services, providing a boost to the local economy.
“Thank you to the CS Energy-Downer overhaul alliance workforce and the 60 specialist companies that delivered this overhaul to support the safe and reliable operation of Callide Unit C3.”
Callide C3 overhaul - key facts and figures
- Overhaul duration: 15 August – 12 November. Unit returned to service in the early hours of 13 November.
- 740 tonnes of scaffolding installed to provide safe access for plant inspections and maintenance
- Generator rewind completed – key piece of maintenance that occurs at the mid-life of a generating unit
- 1,700 tubes welded
- 178 high energy piping connections inspected
- 2.5 tonnes of aluminium cladding replaced and 35 tonnes of insulation installed.
As part of the recommissioning process, the Callide team will carry out a series of tests of Unit C3 at various output levels, which may result in brief offline periods.
In addition to the Unit C3 overhaul, CS Energy also carried out shorter planned maintenance in recent months on the unit B1 and unit B2 precipitators that help control fly ash emissions.
Background
Callide Power Station is comprised of two power plants, Callide B and C, each with two generating units (B1 and B2, C3 and C4).
CS Energy (through its subsidiary Callide Energy Pty Ltd) owns Callide C in a 50/50 joint venture with IG Power (Callide) Ltd. CS Energy operates Callide C on behalf of the JV.
CS Energy owns 100 per cent of the adjacent Callide B Power Station.