The Queensland Government has announced a target of 70 per cent renewable energy by 2032 to be achieved through its Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan (QEJP). Development of the Brigalow Peaking Power Plant was an action outlined in the QEJP and is a significant step in the continued diversification of CS Energy’s portfolio. 

CS Energy is committed to securing a balanced mix of energy sources that can meet our customers’ requirements (including their carbon reduction targets) and support the delivery of the QEJP. 

The decarbonised energy in CS Energy’s future portfolio will be dominated by wind and solar but this supply requires firming to manage the variability of these renewable resources and to help meet demand during peak periods. This is achieved by adding a mix of technologies (hydrogen capable gas peaking, pumped hydro, and batteries). 

CS Energy is developing Queensland’s first hydrogen-ready, natural gas power station to provide crucial firming capacity to support the transformation to renewable energy. With its fast-start ability, the power station will provide on-demand electricity to support variable solar and wind energy.

Renewable hydrogen, initially sourced from CS Energy’s Kogan Renewable Hydrogen Demonstration Plant, will be mixed with natural gas to fuel the power station. 

Production of hydrogen is planned to be scaled up through the development of a commercial scale hydrogen production facility as part of the Kogan Clean Energy Hub. This facility, which is subject to further studies, would be aimed at meeting the significant demand of the Brigalow Peaking Power Plant.

Natural gas will be transported to the Brigalow Peaking Power Plant via a proposed 21-kilometre twin pipeline that would connect to the existing Roma to Brisbane Pipeline (RBP). It is proposed that one of the twin pipelines is constructed to enable conversion to 100 per cent hydrogen capability, subject to ongoing engineering and design studies. Australian energy infrastructure business APA Group is undertaking early planning works for this new twin pipeline on behalf of CS Energy. APA is a specialist developer and operator of gas infrastructure and the owner of the RBP.

The Brigalow Peaking Power Plant will have a capacity of up to 400 megawatts (MW) and will operate in high demand periods to support variable solar and wind energy and underpin energy security for Queenslanders. 

The Brigalow Peaking Power Plant will be capable of operating on 35 per cent renewable hydrogen initially, with a pathway to 100 per cent hydrogen over time. 

The open cycle design of the technology chosen provides the ability for multiple start/stop cycles per day and the ability to ramp up to full power output within five minutes, meaning the plant can be on the grid quickly and stay on for long durations. This is important in helping to address the variability of renewable energy generation and providing firm capacity to the grid in addition to the role of batteries and pumped hydro. The turbines will also be capable of operating in ‘synchronous condenser’ mode, which enables them to provide system strength and grid support during times of high renewables output without burning gas. 

CS Energy is focused on developing clean energy hubs around our existing sites to maximise the use of existing attributes, including a highly skilled workforce, large amounts of land, connection infrastructure, and strong community relationships. 

The Kogan Clean Energy Hub (near the towns of Brigalow and Chinchilla) is the most advanced, with the Chinchilla Battery and the Kogan Renewable Hydrogen Demonstration Plant both nearing completion and expected to be operational in early 2024. 

The Western Downs, where the Kogan Clean Energy Hub is located, is known as the energy capital of Queensland and offers excellent connections into the existing power grid. The Brigalow Peaking Power Plant will connect into the Banana Bridge substation, located next to the Chinchilla Battery, requiring only a few hundred metres of new transmission line on CS Energy-owned land. 

The Brigalow Peaking Power Plant will consist of a compact power island footprint (350m x 150m) and is proposed to feature up to 12 individual turbines, supplied by GE, which are capable of using a blend of renewable hydrogen and natural gas.

The project will be capable of producing up to 400 MW of power. This is enough capacity to power more than 150,000 average Queensland homes during peak periods. 

Hydrogen is the most common chemical element in the world. 

It can be produced in liquid or gas form and can be used as fuel for heating or transport, a raw material in industrial processes, or to generate electricity. 

Green hydrogen is produced using a process called electrolysis, during which a clean energy source such as solar or wind power is used to produce a current which separates the hydrogen and oxygen molecules in water (H2O). When this hydrogen is burned, water is the only by-product emitted. Green hydrogen produces no carbon emissions, making it an exciting prospect for meeting the world’s future energy needs. 

The Brigalow Peaking Power Plant is being built on CS Energy-owned land adjacent to the Kogan Creek Power Station. Extensive studies have been completed to inform the project design. 

The development is subject to receipt of local, state, and federal planning and environmental approvals, as well as a final investment decision by CS Energy which is expected in the first half of 2024.

Site selection and initial design and surveys for the power island site were completed in early 2023.

Planning and environmental approval applications for the power island are currently being developed and will be submitted in late 2023. Simultaneously, APA is undertaking early planning works on the new twin pipeline through to early 2024. 

Subject to planning, environmental and financial approvals, site mobilisation is expected to commence in late 2024, with the Brigalow Peaking Power Plant targeted to be operational by the middle of 2026.