Blackstone Gas Fired Power Station
Existing Swan B site Proposed Blackstone site About Blackstone Project The proposed Blackstone gas fired power station will be built within the Swanbank- New Chum Enterprise Park, an existing 500 hectare industrial park near Ipswich. If approved, construction would be likely to start in 2014 with the power station being developed in stages. The initial power station will be capable of generating around 500MW, increasing to a total capacity of up to 1500MW as demand for energy increases enough electricity to generate 10% of Queensland s electricity supply. Benefits to the region The Blackstone power station will provide the following major benefits to the Ipswich community: A total project budget of approximately $350 million, some of which will flow through to the local economy via wages, rate payments as well as the use of local products and services. The project will create 400 new jobs during construction of the first stage alone and 30-50 full time jobs when the power station has been fully developed and is operational. Blackstone will produce 85% less greenhouse gas emissions than Swanbank B power station, improving air quality in the local area. Greater energy security for all Queenslanders.
What will it look like? Blackstone Power Station Located approximately 7 kilometres south east of the Ipswich city centre, the Blackstone Power station will include: A high efficiency gas turbine generator and auxiliary equipment turbine exhaust stacks high voltage switchyard a short transmission line evaporation ponds and bio-retention basins water treatment system office and workshop. Pipeline and Compressor station As part of this development, we are also looking to build a new gas transportation and storage pipeline to supply the gas needed to fuel the Blackstone power station. Our pipeline follows existing energy infrastructure and road corridors and avoids sensitive ecological and community amenity sites. A small, 1 kilometre section of the pipeline will run underneath Collingwood Drive. TRUenergy will use a technique known as Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) for construction of this pipeline section to minimise land disturbance and disruption to residents and local road users. The new pipeline will be designed to a specification considered non rupturable by Australian Standards ensuring the highest standards of safety for the local community.
Why we are building Blackstone Australia s national energy market operator predicts that Queensland will require investment in new energy generation facilities around 2015 in order to maintain a secure electricity supply for Queensland households and businesses. In order to meet this demand for energy from our customers, TRUenergy is seeking development approval for two new highefficiency gas-fired power stations in Queensland, one near Ipswich and the other near Gladstone. Our proposed power stations will secure the future of Queensland s energy supply. TRUenergy will construct these projects in line with growing household and business electricity needs.
Planning Considerations Our development application for the Blackstone power station must comply with Queensland s regulatory guidelines as well as the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act). We have engaged independent expert consultants to evaluate and, where necessary, recommend modifications to our plans. As part of this, we have undertaken a range of assessments including: visual amenity cultural significance traffic noise soil and water quality air quality Existing infrastructure at the proposed site, such as electrical transmission lines, gas pipelines, roads and water, will help reduce the overall environmental impact of our Blackstone development. Consultation As well as this consultation, TRUenergy will provide advance notification directly to residents that may be impacted by construction works relating to the proposed development.
About TRUenergy We are one of Australia s largest, integrated energy businesses, having grown steadily since we entered the Australian energy market in 1995. We have long standing experience in developing and operating energy generation facilities. In developing any project, our primary aim is to balance our business requirements with the environmental, social and economic needs of our stakeholders, customers and the local community. We have experience in all aspects of energy generation, development and energy retailing. Our portfolio includes: 2.8 million business and customer accounts Australia s most efficient gas fired power station, the 420MW Tallawarra power station in Wollongong, NSW Hallett gas power station, SA (180MW) Yallourn coal-fired power station (1480MW) and adjacent mine in the Latrobe Valley, VIC Iona gas storage facility near Port Campbell, VIC The Waterloo wind farm, SA (111MW) 50% share in Cathedral Rocks wind farm (66MW) Ipswich - Helping to power Queensland Our project shows that we both understand and remain committed to meeting Queensland s energy needs. TRUenergy s investment in the Blackstone power station will generate local jobs and contribute to the local economy.