Troubled Callide B Costing Queenslanders Millions
It’s today been revealed that Queensland’s state-owned energy corporation, CS Energy, has posted a $324 million loss for the last financial year, largely due to issues at the Callide B coal-fired power station.
In response to these findings the Queensland Conservation Council (QCC) is calling on the Crisafulli Government to close Callide B on schedule in 2028, instead of slugging taxpayers up to $420 million a year to keep the failing coal station on life support.
This comes after an analysis by QCC showed that Queensland is on track to build more renewable energy and storage capacity to replace Callide B than was modelled by the previous Labor State Government – calling into question the Crisafulli Government’s decision to extend Callide B’s life by up to three years.
Queensland Conservation Council Senior Renewables Campaigner Stephanie Gray said:
“CS Energy’s annual report reveals that the troubled Callide B coal-fired power station is already costing Queensland taxpayers millions.
“Given Callide B’s rolling breakdowns and issues, it’s completely financially reckless for the Queensland Government to throw up to $420 million every year to keep this clunker on life support past its end of life.
“Callide B’s two units have been offline for an average of 3 months every year since 2020. It’s clear that even if Queenslanders are forking out hundreds of millions there’s no guarantee that Callide will provide reliable power.
“Our latest research found that, despite the Crisafulli Government’s renewable energy cuts, Queensland has a strong pipeline of renewable energy and storage projects, and is on track to build up to 7 GW more large-scale solar and battery storage by the end of 2028 than was modelled by the previous Queensland Government.
“Callide B was only built to operate for 40 years and the end of its life has always been scheduled for 2028. Queenslanders have every right to ask why the Premier David Crisafulli appears to be ideologically backing coal as opposed to what’s in the best economic interest of Queenslanders.
“We’re calling on David Crisafulli to be responsible with taxpayer money and release an energy plan that supports renewable energy and storage, and allows Callide B to close on time.
“If Queenslanders are forced to fork out hundreds of millions to keep coal online it will be because the Queensland Government is causing energy policy uncertainty, delaying and axing new clean energy projects.”
Queensland's coal power stations were offline a staggering 78 times over the last summer period because they’re becoming increasingly unreliable as they age.
According to an analysis by Nexa Advisory, closing Callide be would contribute approximately 5 per cent of the progress still required to meet Queensland’s 75% 2035 target.
Media contact: Ellie McLachlan, 0407 753 830
Share
Tweet
Email