The Callide C Power Station joint venture (JV) has revised the initial return to service date for Unit C3 by 17 days, with the unit forecast to partially return to service on 24 January 2024 (previously 7 January 2024).
There is no change to the forecast dates for Unit C3’s return to full capacity or the return to service dates for C4.
CS Energy is rebuilding the two Callide C cooling towers to enable the safe return to service of Callide C Power Station.
CS Energy CEO Darren Busine said the shift in Unit C3’s partial return to service reflected the impact of recent rain and hot weather, resourcing challenges, including illness and COVID-19 at site, and global supply chain issues. This includes some of the assigned freight carriers being diverted to assist with humanitarian efforts in the Gaza War and domestic issues in India which have impacted the scheduling and delivery of materials.
Mr Busine said significant progress has been made on the construction of the new C3 cooling tower, with approximately 165,000 hours worked on site which is equivalent to more than double the standard site workforce.
“We prioritised the Unit C3 cooling tower as the first of the new cooling towers to be built and there has been an unprecedented level of activity at site to make this happen.
“Approximately 300 people are working around the clock, seven days a week on site and a logistics specialist has coordinated the movement of more than 1,000 tonnes of freight from all corners of the world.
“In parallel to the construction activity, CS Energy is working through a commissioning program for Unit C3. This will involve a series of tests, including briefly running the unit at low loads to support its partial return on 24 January.
“This is a highly complex and unique project, and I would like to acknowledge the efforts of everyone involved to progress the works to this stage.
“Our first priority is the safety of our people and plant.
“I would like to reassure Queenslanders that we are doing everything we can to have the unit back online as soon as possible.”
Callide C return to service
| Unit |
Previous |
Current |
| Unit C3 |
7 Jan 2024 - 233 MW
18 Feb 2024 - 466 MW (full capacity) |
24 Jan 2024 - 200 MW
No change |
| Unit C4 |
19 May 2024 - 210 MW
6 July 2024 - 420 MW (full capacity) |
No change
No change |
Note: Callide C3 unit has a capacity of 424 MW, with an overload capacity of 466 MW if required by the market. The new C4 unit has a similiar design capacity but must complete relevant testing during recommissioning before it can be registered with an overload of 466 MW.
Image: All of the materials have now arrived for the rebuild of the Callide C3 cooling tower.
Image: Approximately 300 people are working around the clock, seven a days a week.
Background
Callide Power Station has a permanent workforce of 243 people and is comprised of two power plants, Callide B and C, each with two generating units (B1 and B2, C3 and C4).
CS Energy owns 100 per cent of Callide B and owns Callide C in a joint venture (JV) with IG Power and operates Callide C on behalf of the JV.
The Callide B units are currently generating electricity.
CS Energy is rebuilding the two cooling towers at Callide C following the structural failure of a section of the Unit C3 cooling tower in late 2022.
The decision to rebuild the C3 and C4 cooling towers follows inspections and advice from independent engineering experts of both towers, which are of the same age and design.