In a major step for Queensland’s renewable energy future, the delivery of the state’s first renewable energy peaking plant is officially underway.

Thanks to partnership led by publicly owned energy company, CS Energy, GE Vernova will supply hydrogen ready peaking generation units, in a move that will decrease Queensland’s reliance on fossil gas.

CS Energy signed an agreement with the global energy leader for the supply of the key equipment for the Brigalow Peaking Power Plant equipment, to be rolled out at the future Kogan Creek clean energy hub in the Western Downs.

The peaking plant will initially be capable of operating on 35 per cent renewable hydrogen, with a pathway to 100 per cent hydrogen over time.

The open-cycle power station will underpin energy security for Queenslanders, with fast-start capability, and the ability to operate in high demand periods to support variable solar and wind energy.

With a capacity of 400 MW, it will have the ability to power more than 75,000 homes during peak demand periods.

The signing marks the first major equipment order for the project and follows extensive studies to inform its design.

The power station is scheduled to be operational in 2026, subject to final approvals.

Quotes attributable to Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick:

“Queensland clean energy economy will need a mix of renewable energy, firming technology and high capacity transmission.

“Up to three gigawatts of additional low-to-zero emission gas will be required for peak demand and backup security by 2035.

“That’s why our Government’s Queensland Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Jobs Fund is supporting towards the Brigalow Peaking Power Plant.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni:

“The Brigalow Peaking Power Plant will have fast-start capability – taking just five minutes to go from cold to full output, and thanks to Queensland’s public ownership keeping energy assets in the hands of Queenslanders, we can deliver it.

“The Brigalow Peaking Power Plant demonstrates the opportunity for real action on climate change, moving away from fossil-fuels to green hydrogen produced here in Queensland from our abundant sun, wind and water.

“We know that green hydrogen has the potential to deliver 10,000 jobs and boost the economy by $33 billion by 2040, and that is why we’re backing this venture, as part of our commitment to the greatest jobs, climate and export opportunity in a generation.”

Quotes attributable to CS Energy CEO Darren Busine:

“CS Energy is committed to securing a balanced mix of energy sources that can meet our customers’ decarbonisation requirements and support the delivery of the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan.

“The open-cycle design of the Brigalow Peaking Power Plant provides the ability for multiple start/stop cycles per day and the ability to ramp up to full power output within five minutes.

“This project is an example of how we are creating clean energy hubs at our power stations to deliver the energy mix needed to reliably transition the grid to renewable energy while also providing opportunities for our workforce to reskill.”

Quotes attributable to GE Vernova Gas Power President and CEO Eric Gray:

“We are honored to be considered to provide our highly efficient and flexible gas turbine technology for this project to supply homes and businesses in Queensland with affordable, reliable and sustainable electricity.”

Further information:

• A peaking power plant is a reliable source of fast power to provide sustained power output during peak demand periods. This is important in helping to address the variability of renewable energy generation and provide firm capacity to the grid, which means more dependable and consistent electricity supply to customers.
• The Brigalow Peaking Power Plant is a greenfield development on land owned by CS Energy across from the existing Kogan Creek Power Station on Banana Bridge Road.
• The plant will consist of 12 GE aeroderivative turbines (LM2500XPRESS) with a capacity of 33 MW per unit. Aeroderivative turbines are lightweight, with a relatively small footprint and a fast response rate.
• Renewable hydrogen will initially be sourced from CS Energy’s Kogan Renewable Hydrogen Demonstration Plant. Production of renewable hydrogen is expected to be scaled up through the development of a commercial scale hydrogen production facility as part of the Kogan Clean Energy Hub.
• The power station will connect into the Banana Bridge substation, requiring only a few hundred metres of new transmission line on CS Energy-owned land.
• Planning and environmental approvals for the power station will be submitted in late 2023.
• The project will be located at CS Energy’s Kogan Clean Energy Hub, next to Kogan Creek Power Station in the Western Downs. The region is critical to Queensland’s energy supply system and offers excellent connections into the existing power grid.
• The Brigalow Peaking Power Plant is a foundation project in the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan and is a significant step in the continued diversification of CS Energy’s portfolio.