Taking its name from the Aboriginal word meaning Big Water, Kareeya Hydro has been providing clean, efficient electricity to Queenslanders since 1957. The station's ability to start up quickly means it plays an important role in ensuring a secure, reliable power supply.
On 21 September 2007, Kareeya Hydro celebrated 50 years of operation. The hydro’s major milestones are recorded in a commemorative book, aptly titled Big Water.
Key Information
| Location |
On the Tully River, 60 kilometres north-west of the town of Tully in Far North Queensland. The station is situated within the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area |
| Generating Capacity |
86.4 megawatts |
| Number of generating units |
Four |
| Equivalent homes powered at full capacity |
86,000 |
| Annual greenhouse gas savings |
540,000 tonnes |
| Water supply |
Water is released from Koombooloomba Dam on the Tully River and stored in the Tully Falls Weir before flowing to the station |
| Energy production |
Produced at 11,000 volts (11kV), stepped up to 132,000 volts (132kV) by transformers in the power station switchyard |
| Grid entry point |
Power enters the Queensland high voltage electricity grid at Kareeya switchyard |
| Commissioned |
1957 |
| Environmental accreditation |
- Accredited under Federal Government's Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000
- Accredited by the Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) as a Green Power Generator
- Environmental Management System complies with ISO14001
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Kareeya Hydro fact sheet