Stanwell has commenced a feasibility study into a proposed 30 MW hydro power station at SunWater’s Burdekin Falls Dam.
If studies find the project feasible, the Burdekin Falls Dam could be producing enough clean, green hydro electricity to supply up to 9,500 homes each year.
Stanwell’s Business Development General Manager Derek Hannigan said the hydro station would take advantage of water released from the dam and would have the capability to generate 30 MW of renewable electricity.
If the project is viable and moves to the next phase, the hydro power station will be engineered to world-class design standards and utilise water released from the dam for customer needs and to meet environmental requirements or when the dam is spilling over.
The cost and supply of water to SunWater customers will not be affected by the construction or operation of the hydro power station if it goes ahead.
This project supports the Queensland Government’s Renewable Energy Plan which aims to have more than 2,500 MW of renewable energy installed by 2020 (20% of the National Renewable Energy Target)—31 MW of which is earmarked for hydro operations.
Stanwell is a leading owner and operator of several hydro electric power station across Queensland—86 MW Kareeya Hydro and 7 MW Koombooloomba Hydro (Tully), 60 MW Barron Gorge Hydro (Cairns), and 4.5 MW Wivenhoe Small Hydro (South East Queensland).