Chairman of Waratah Coal Pty Ltd, Clive Palmer has announced plans to build a new $1.54 billion coal-fired power station in Queensland’s Galilee Basin.
Mr Palmer said the proposed 700 megawatt (MW) high-efficiency low emission ultra-supercritical power station would be established on the mining lease for Waratah Coal’s Galilee Coal Project, approximately 30 kilometres north of the Central Western Queensland township of Alpha.
“At full scale, the project will comprise two open cut and four underground mines, as well as supporting infrastructure, and will produce 40 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) of high-quality thermal coal for export markets,” Mr Palmer said.
“The Galilee Power Station will be developed as a contingent component of the overall project, providing the power needs for the mine operations, coal transportation and port operations, ready for export coal to Gladstone and future power needs for our proposed North Galilee coal mine development,’’ he said.
Subject to approval, construction of the Galilee Power Station is anticipated to begin in June 2020 and is expected to have a build period of three years for the first unit, with the second unit being commissioned six months later.
The commissioning and operations of the proposed high-efficiency low emission ultra-supercritical power station would be ready to provide power to the Galilee Coal Project close to December 2023. This would allow for the Galilee Coal Project to deliver its first coal to Gladstone in roughly the first quarter of 2024.
Waratah Coal is seeking an amendment to their draft Environmental Authority to include a 700 MW power station and associated transmission lines, coal handling facilities, ash containment facility and water storage facility.
Mr Palmer said effective community engagement will be undertaken throughout the construction and operational phases of the proposed development.