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Tarong power station is an operating power station of at least 1400-megawatts (MW) in Nanango, Queensland, Australia.
Location
Table 1: Project-level location details
| Plant name | Location | Coordinates (WGS 84) |
|---|---|---|
| Tarong power station | Nanango, Queensland, Australia | -26.783688, 151.915274 (exact) |
The map below shows the exact location of the power station.
Unit-level coordinates (WGS 84):
- Unit 1, Unit 2, Unit 3, Unit 4: -26.783688, 151.915274
Project Details
Table 2: Unit-level details
| Unit name | Status | Fuel(s) | Capacity (MW) | Technology | Start year | Retired year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 | operating | coal: subbituminous | 350 | subcritical | 1984 | 2037 (planned)[1] |
| Unit 2 | operating | coal: subbituminous | 350 | subcritical | 1985 | 2037 (planned)[1] |
| Unit 3 | operating | coal: subbituminous | 350 | subcritical | 1986 | 2037 (planned) |
| Unit 4 | operating | coal: subbituminous | 350 | subcritical | 1986 | 2037 (planned) |
Table 3: Unit-level ownership and operator details
| Unit name | Owner | Parent |
|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 | Stanwell Corp Ltd [100%] | Stanwell Corp Ltd [100.0%] |
| Unit 2 | Stanwell Corp Ltd [100%] | Stanwell Corp Ltd [100.0%] |
| Unit 3 | Stanwell Corp Ltd [100%] | Stanwell Corp Ltd [100.0%] |
| Unit 4 | Stanwell Corp Ltd [100%] | Stanwell Corp Ltd [100.0%] |
Background
The Tarong power station is operated by Tarong Energy and is located 180 kilometres north-west of Brisbane. It uses black coal, was commissioned between 1984-86 and generates 1,400 megawatts.[2] The power station sources 7 million tonnes of coal a year from the adjacent Meandu mine.[3]
In mid-October 2012 Stanwell announced that it would mothball two of the plant's five 350MW units due to an "over-supplied energy market with lower than forecast electricity demand". Stanwell stated that the plants would be closed "for at least two years".[4] Unit 4 was retired to service in July 2014, and unit 2 in February 2016.[5]
The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) estimates that Tarong power station will operate for the duration of its 50-year life cycle, or until 2037.[6]
According to releases in May and October 2023, AEMO data estimated that Units 1 and 2 would retire in 2036, and Units 3 and 4 would retire in 2037.[7][8]
In the AEMO's April 2024 release of power plant closure years, all four units were estimated to retire in 2037.[9]
Health Risks
A March 2019 analysis by Environmental Justice Australia's (EJA) National Pollutant Inventory found that Tarong emitted more than 2 million kilograms (kg) of fine particle pollution, 15 times more than Origin Energy’s 2880 MW Eraring power station in New South Wales, over a twelve-month period in 2017-2018. EJA argues that state governments could easily cut fine particle pollution, mercury, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide pollution by over 95 per cent by requiring utilities to install best-available pollution control technology.[10]
Wind Farm and Battery Development
In September 2022, Stanwell announced a proposed 500 MW wind farm near the Tarong power station. The proposal was part of the firm's pivot away from coal, and it would be developed in partnership with RES Group. The project would be within the Southern Queensland Renewable Energy Zone. Financing would cost around AUD $776 million, and operation could start as soon as 2026.[11]
In 2021, Stanwell had also announced plans to build a 150 MW battery to be co-located at the Tarong power station. [12] By August 2024, construction of the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) was reportedly halfway done.[13] The BESS was expected to become operational in mid-2025. According to Stanwell, the Tarong power station would be converted into a Clean Energy Hub.[13]
Articles and Resources
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 https://web.archive.org/web/20240517002240/https://aemo.com.au/-/media/files/electricity/nem/planning_and_forecasting/generation_information/2024/generating-unit-expected-closure-year-apr-2024.xlsx?la=en. Archived from the original on 17 May 2024.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ "What we do: Tarong Power station", Tarong Energy website, accessed May 2011.
- ↑ "What we do: Meandu Mine", Tarong Energy website, accessed May 2011.
- ↑ "Stanwell to withdraw Tarong Power Station units from service", Media Release, October 11, 2012.
- ↑ Annual report, Stanwell, 2015-16
- ↑ 2018 Integrated System Plan, AEMO, Jul. 17, 2018
- ↑ 05/05/2023 Generating unit expected closure year – May 2023, AEMO, May 5, 2023
- ↑ Generating unit expected closure year – October 2023 AEMO, November 2, 2023
- ↑ Generating unit expected closure year, AEMO, accessed: May 15, 2024
- ↑ Coal-fired power, coal mines continue to head toxic pollutants list, Brisbane Times, Mar. 31, 2019
- ↑ Stanwell proposes 500-MW wind farm near Queensland coal-fired power complex, Renewables Now, Sept. 26, 2022
- ↑ Queensland coal giant unveils plans for 500MW state-owned wind farm, Renew Economy, Sept. 26, 2022
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Work on Stanwell’s mega battery projects power ahead, Stanwell, August 14, 2024
Additional data
To access additional data, including an interactive map of coal-fired power stations, a downloadable dataset, and summary data, please visit the Global Coal Plant Tracker on the Global Energy Monitor website.
