{"id":205722,"date":"2018-04-04T22:57:29","date_gmt":"2018-04-04T12:57:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=205722"},"modified":"2020-08-05T13:03:28","modified_gmt":"2020-08-05T03:03:28","slug":"more-power-more-emissions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2018\/04\/04\/more-power-more-emissions\/","title":{"rendered":"More Power, More Emissions"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Tarong Power Station was described by a green group as\u00a0Queensland\u2019s most polluting coal-fired power station this week, but Stanwell say it’s one of the most efficient generators in the state<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

April 4, 2018<\/strong><\/p>\n

Emissions from Tarong Power Station have increased over the past five years because the station has been generating more electricity …<\/p>\n

This is the simple explanation from Stanwell countering public criticism which described Tarong on Tuesday as “Queensland\u2019s most polluting coal-fired power station”.<\/p>\n

A media release from Environmental Justice Australia said coal-fired power stations were “still Australia\u2019s major source of toxic fine particle pollution”.<\/p>\n

It singled out several Australian power stations for special mention, including Tarong.<\/p>\n

“Fine particle emissions from Tarong power station, Queensland\u2019s most polluting coal-fired power station, increased 16 per cent during the last year, up 71 per cent\u00a0in the last five years,” the statement said.<\/p>\n

However, Tarong Power Stations Acting Site Manager Darwin Chellachamy told southburnett.com.au<\/strong>\u00a0the total energy sent out by the Tarong power stations (which comprises the 1400 MW Tarong Power Station and the 443MW Tarong North Power Station) rose by 17.8 per cent on the previous year.<\/p>\n

Stanwell placed two 350MW generating units at the Tarong power stations into cold storage in late 2012.<\/p>\n

These units were later returned to service: Unit 4 in July 2014 and Unit 2 in February 2016.<\/p>\n

While the units were offline, the power stations were not generating as much electricity and therefore emissions were lower in comparison to 2016-17 emissions.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cAs a result of the increase in generation to meet demand and the return to service of Unit 2 in February 2016 after two years of cold storage, particulate emissions from the Tarong power stations increased by approximately 14 per cent year on year, as reported in the 2016-17 National Pollutant Inventory,” Mr\u00a0Chellachamy said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn 2016-17, the Tarong power stations increased its generation to meet Queensland\u2019s growing energy demand.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Tarong power stations underpin the reliability of the State\u2019s electricity supply.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Tarong power stations produce emissions at the current level because they are large generators of electricity for Queensland and operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe power stations have generated at higher levels to keep downward pressure on wholesale electricity prices.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur goal is to safeguard the well-being of our environment and communities as well as keeping energy affordable.\u201d<\/p>\n

A Stanwell spokesperson said Tarong North and Tarong Power Station were two of the most reliable power stations in the country, currently achieving world-class availability of 93.3 per cent and 96.4 per cent, respectively.<\/p>\n

As well, Tarong North Power Station was classified as supercritical, making it one of Australia\u2019s most efficient coal-fired power stations.<\/p>\n