November 4, 2021
Wivenhoe Dam’s power station has returned to full operations after the successful completion of a $14 million overhaul lasting more than 100 days.
Energy Minister Mick de Brenni said the Wivenhoe Hydroelectric Power Station was a unique facility – Queensland’s only pumped storage hydroelectric power station.
“As a fast ramping, flexible energy generator, it is a major contributor to our plans for 50 per cent renewable energy by 2030,” Mr de Brenni said.
“Its role in guaranteeing power for Queensland is vital.”
The overhaul involved some challenging situations, including working at considerable heights and in confined spaces.
The works involved large-scale maintenance on one of the station’s 285MW turbines and included:
- More than 170 tonnes of scaffolding
- Removing 200 thousand litres of oil from the power station
- 78 tonnes of sandblasting
- Almost 5000 litres of paint
Downer managed the overhaul services bringing more than 100 people onsite to complete the work.
Superintendent Darryl Gibb said it was one of the most successful maintenance overhauls he’s worked on.
“It’s a major thing to take operating units of a hydroelectric power station offline for such works, but it’s vital to ensure that the station continues to operate efficiently and effectively,” he said.
