TARONG AND TARONG NORTH POWER STATIONS
Energy type Thermal Coal-Fired
Maximum generation output Tarong: 1400 MW Tarong North: 443 MW
Date commissioned Tarong: 1984 - 1986 Tarong North: 2003
Overview
The Tarong and Tarong North power stations are co-located 45km south east of Kingaroy in the South Burnett region, Southern Queensland. The Tarong power stations are among Australia’s most efficient power stations, and together supply around 20% of Queensland’s energy needs. The Tarong Power Station and Meandu Mine celebrated 40 years of continuous operation in 2024.
The Tarong power stations and Meandu Mine are on the land of the Wakka Wakka people. We pay respect to their Elders past, present and emerging and to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as we work together for a bright future.
Discover more about the Wakka Wakka people here
Technical details
Tarong (TPS) is four by 350 MW unit power station. Tarong North (TNPS) is a single 443 MW advanced cycle coal-fired unit which uses supercritical boiler technology, making it one of the most efficient fossil-fuel power stations in Australia. The supercritical boiler design increases efficiency and reduces emissions by using higher steam pressures and temperatures, which convert more of the heat energy from the coal into electrical energy. Both stations are operated from a central control room.
Fuel and water supply
The Tarong power stations receive coal from the neighbouring Meandu Mine (also owned by Stanwell) via a conveyor.
The primary source of water for both power stations is Boondooma Dam where Stanwell has an annual water allocation of approximately 30,000 ML.
Emissions controls
Low nitrogen oxide (NOx) burners, electrostatic precipitators, diligent monitoring and an efficient operating regime are some of the key environmental controls at the power station. Particulates including ash and dust emissions are managed within set limits by electrostatic precipitators. In 2019, a continuous emissions monitoring system (CEMS) was installed at both stations to more effectively monitor emissions. The supercritical boiler design at TNPS increases efficiency and reduces emissions by using higher steam pressures and temperatures, which convert more of the heat energy from the coal into electrical energy.
Future plans
Tarong power stations will be transitioned into Clean Energy Hubs by 2035, providing firming and maintenance services to the Queensland Southern Renewable Energy Zone (SREZ). The first project in the Clean Energy Hub transition is the Tarong Battery Energy Storage System - a 300 MW, two-hour lithium iron battery now under construction.
MAINTENANCE INFORMATION
Planned maintenance is currently underway at Tarong Power Station.
Details:
Overhaul of Unit 2
Investment of $53 million
To be completed by the end of November 2024
The planned unit overhaul is a large-scale engineering project that maintains the reliability, efficiency and safety of electricity generation units. An overhaul is a statutory requirement and Stanwell is legally required to undertake them within specified timeframes.
The overhaul will ensure Tarong Power Station maintains the required level of reliability to support Queensland’s system security requirements, particularly over the summer peak demand period.
Read the media release here.
Meet Mick Joy
GENERAL MANAGER: SOUTHERN GENERATION
Mick Joy is the General Manager of Southern Generation for Stanwell Corporation based at Tarong Power Stations and has an impressive 25-year career in Queensland’s energy industry.
While he started his career at Tarong Power Station in 1997 as a vacation student, it has grown to encompass numerous operational and health and safety management roles in various power stations across Queensland.
Today, Mick is passionate about Tarong Power Station and its place in the South Burnett community. As General Manager he is committed to leading his team in the transformation to renewable energy and helping to realise the mutual benefits this will bring for Stanwell, its people and its communities.
Meet John Carey
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT MANAGER: SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND
John Carey has been with Stanwell since 2008, and is the manager of Stakeholder Engagement for Southern Queensland with a team of dedicated individuals working alongside neighbouring communities and local stakeholders across our southern Queensland sites.
Contact John and the team via email:
Contact Stakeholder Engagement for Southern Queensland
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More on our commitmentsRead about our 5 commitments here
- COMMUNITY INVESTMENT
COMMUNITY INVESTMENT
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