August 3, 2016
Work has begun on a $13.5 million upgrade to Queensland’s only pumped storage hydroelectric plant, Wivenhoe Power Station.
The 500MW power station will undergo a major tune-up over the next few months to keep it operating in peak condition.
Wivenhoe Power Station consists of two 250MW units that are the largest hydro machines in Australia.
Energy Minister Mark Bailey said CS Energy would be carrying out the overhaul on one of the two generating units, which is located on the eastern side of the dam.
“The upcoming overhaul will have a peak workforce of 100 people on site, which comprises Wivenhoe’s permanent workforce of 11 and approximately 90 contractors,” he said.
Mr Bailey said Wivenhoe Power Station had provided quick-start capacity to the national electricity grid since 1984 and had an expected life of 100 years.
“Wivenhoe Power Station stores and generates electricity by recycling water between an upper and lower reservoir,” Mr Bailey said.
“The power station is able to store energy by holding water in the upper reservoir until it is needed to generate electricity.
“During high demand periods, the stored water is released through tunnels to drive the turbines and generators.
“Wivenhoe’s upper reservoir, Splityard Creek Dam, has a capacity of 23,300 megalitres, which is enough to run the power station for up to 10 hours at full load.”
The major overhaul contractors are Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems, Crown Engineering, McElligotts Painting and Berg Engineering.
