Electricity Generation Industry

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Project engineers for CS Energy's Callide Oxyfuel Project in front of Callide A Power Station

The majority of electricity generation in Queensland is sourced from coal-fired power stations in central and south east Queeensland. However, there is an increasing number of gas-fired power stations and other renewable energy sources being used to generate electricity in Queensland such as hydro, wind and biomass.

Government Owned Corporations (GOC) own many of the larger power stations, however there are an increasing number of privately owned power stations.

NRG Gladstone Operating Services (NRGGOS)
Gladstone Power Station is Queensland’s largest, contributing 1,680 megawatts capacity to the State grid. Located five kilometres north-west of Gladstone, the Gladstone Power Station sells 60% of the station's output to Boyne Smelters under a long term contract. Since 1994, the station has been operated by NRG Gladstone Operating Services on behalf of Joint Venture participants Rio Tinto Ltd (42.125%), NRG Energy Inc (37.5%), SLMA GPS Pty Ltd (8.50%), Ryowa II GPS Pty Ltd (7.125%) and YKK GPS (Queensland) Pty Ltd (4.75%).

CS Energy
CS Energy is a Queensland Government-owned electricity generator that uses a diverse mix of fuels to operate more than 3,000 megawatts of electricity generating plant to supply the national electricity market and the state's North West Minerals Province. Employing approximately 580 people across Queensland, CS Energy own and operate the following power stations:

  • Swanbank Power Station (south east Queensland)
  • Callide Power Station (central Queensland)
  • Mica Creek Power Station (north west Queensland)
  • Kogan Creek Power Station (south west Queensland)

Stanwell Corporation
Stanwell is a Queensland Government-owned electricity generator that generates more than 1,500 megawatts of electricity from thermal and hydro facilities located throughout Queensland. With more than 360 employees working across the State, Stanwell's largest operating site is Stanwell Power Station with a generating capacity of 1,400 megawatts. Other operating sites by Stanwell include:

  • Stanwell Power Station (22 kilometres west of Rockhampton)
  • Barron Gorge Hydro, Kareeya Hydro and Koombooloomba Hydro - (far north Queensland)
  • Wivenhoe Hydro (south east Queensland)
  • Mackay Gas Turbine

Tarong Energy Corporation
Tarong Energy is a Queensland Government-owned electricity generator employing 417 people in electrical and mechanical trades, engineering, and a wide variety of professional and support roles at its generating sites and in its Brisbane corporate office. Tarong Energy Corporation operates a diverse mix of generating assets including Tarong Power Station, Wivenhoe Power Station and fifty percent of Tarong North Power Station.

  • Tarong Power Station, 180 kilometres north-west of Brisbane, is one of Queensland’s largest power stations with a total generating capacity of 1400 megawatts.
  • Tarong North is a single 445 megawatt advanced cycle coal-fired unit adjacent to the Tarong Power Station. The Tarong North Power Station is owned by a 50/50 joint venture of Tarong Energy and TM Energy (Australia) Pty Ltd.
  • Wivenhoe Power Station is Tarong Energy's pumped storage hydroelectric plant. The 500 megawatt power station is located on the eastern side of Wivenhoe Dam, about 90 kilometres north-west of Brisbane.
  • Tarong Energy also owns the Meandu Mine and Kunioon coal resource, which will fuel the power stations into the future, as well as coal resources in Queensland's Surat Basin.
Image supplied courtesy of CS Energy.