The Callide C Power Station joint venture has announced further delays in the return to service of Unit C4.
An explosion in May 2021 that left almost half a million people without power.
Cooling towers at the plant, outside Biloela, have also been rebuilt following the structural failure of a section of the Unit C3 cooling tower in late 2022.
The change in date from July 22 to August 31 for C4’s return was necessary said CS Energy chief executive officer Darren Busine.
“This is the first time in Queensland a major generating unit and its cooling tower have been completely rebuilt and integrated with existing infrastructure,” Mr Busine said.
“It is also nearly 20 years since a new coal-fired generator and cooling tower was put into service in Queensland, which was at Kogan Creek Power Station.
“For many of our people at Callide, this is the first time they have been involved in the commissioning of a new coal-fired generator and they have my full support in taking all the necessary precautions to ensure that C4 is returned to service in a safe and methodical manner.
“While this is a complex and challenging project, we are making good progress. The final electrical rectification works on C4 have been completed and construction of the new C4 cooling tower is progressing to schedule.”
The power station is at the centre of a political storm.
Opposition leader David Crisafulli accused the Labor Government of ‘the mother of all cover-ups’.
Callide Power Station is comprised of two power plants, Callide B and C, each with two generating units (B1 and B2, C3 and C4). Units B1, B2 and C3 are all generating electricity.
Image: The damaged C4 generating unit immediately after the 2021 explosion.