CS Energy today released a report on the technical contributing factors to the Callide Unit C4 incident that occurred on 25 May 2021 and the actions it has taken to prevent a similar event from happening again.
The report, based on CS Energy’s assessment of the incident, and work since the event with a range of experts including Aurecon and independent investigator Dr Sean Brady, is being released as part of CS Energy’s commitment to transparency and sharing learnings with industry and the community.
CS Energy CEO Darren Busine said: “This was one of the most significant and complex process safety incidents in Australia and it has taken time to work through and understand the contributing factors to the event.
“The Callide Unit C4 incident was the result of the simultaneous failure of key electrical equipment and system back-ups in a complex series of events that could not have been anticipated, with some of the contributing factors being traced back to the original design of the power station," Mr Busine said.
"As we have gained a better understanding of the causes of the 2021 incident, we have not waited to act on what we have learned.
"We have progressively improved safety for our people and plant, both at Callide and our other assets across the state.
“I am committed to ensuring we learn from the events of 2021 and I also acknowledge there will be more to learn and act on going forward.
“In understanding the event, what has been very clear is the outstanding actions of our people working at Callide on the day of the incident who put in place their training and responded competently and professionally in some of the most extraordinary circumstances imaginable and ensured everyone evacuated the site safely.
“We are eagerly awaiting the completion of Dr Brady’s investigation. We expect the report will identify further opportunities for organisational improvement. We will make any further changes that improve the safety of our people and plant and will share any additional learnings with industry.”
For an overview of what occurred on Unit C4, the plant-related contributing factors of the incident, and the actions CS Energy has taken in response, please refer to the following materials:
Background
CS Energy (through its subsidiary Callide Energy Pty Limited) owns Callide C in a joint venture (JV) with IG Power and operates Callide C on behalf of the JV.
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