Brigalow Peaking Power Plant
Brigalow Peaking Power Plant
CS Energy is developing a hydrogen-ready, natural gas power station at Kogan Creek, approximately 260 kilometres west of Brisbane, Queensland, to provide ‘firming’ capacity to support more renewables entering the grid in Queensland.
| Main proponents:
Queensland Government (CS Energy as development lead) |
Main end-use classification:
Electricity generation |
Status:
Under development – the station is scheduled to be operational by the middle of 2027, subject to final approvals |
Estimated cost: |
| Other involvement: | Production details:
The Brigalow Peaking Power Plant will be capable of operating on 35% renewable hydrogen from Day One, with a pathway to 100% hydrogen over time |
Location:
Queensland, Australia |
Announced funding:
Project funding is to be provided through the Queensland Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Jobs Fund (QREHJF) |
Project description:
The proposed Brigalow Peaking Power Plant project is located adjacent to CS Energy’s Kogan Creek Power Station near Chinchilla on the Western Downs in Queensland. The planned open cycle power station will have a capacity of up to 400 megawatts (MW) with fast-start capability and will operate in high demand periods to support variable solar and wind energy resources.
Development of the Brigalow Peaking Power Plant was an action outlined in the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan in September 2022.
The Brigalow Peaking Power Plant is proposed to feature up to 12 modular turbines, supplied by GE Verona, which are capable of using a blend of renewable hydrogen and natural gas.
Renewable hydrogen, initially sourced from CS Energy’s Kogan Creek Renewable Hydrogen Demonstration Plant, would be mixed with natural gas to fuel the power station. Production of hydrogen is expected to be scaled up through the development of a commercial scale hydrogen production facility as part of the evolution of the demonstration plant. This (commercial-scale) facility, which is subject to further studies, would be aimed at meeting the demand of the Brigalow Peaking Power Plant.
Natural gas would be transported to the Brigalow Peaking Power Plant via a proposed new 23-kilometre twin pipeline that would connect to the existing Roma to Brisbane Pipeline (RBP).
Site selection and initial design and surveys for the power island site were completed in early 2023, and further revised in early 2024 following optimisation works. Planning and environmental approval applications for the power island were submitted in late 2023; however, due to further design works, initial applications were withdrawn and are planned to be resubmitted in late 2024.
In August 2024, the APA Group announced the execution of a Design and Development Agreement with CS Energy for twin gas pipelines connecting to CS Energy’s proposed Brigalow Peaking Power Plant near Chinchilla in Queensland. The twin pipelines would connect APA’s Roma Brisbane Pipeline to the hydrogen-ready gas-fired power station, and will be designed and developed to be hydrogen capable, with the ability to potentially convert into a hydrogen service in the future. APA would develop and own the gas and storage pipelines, which are targeted for completion in mid to late 2026. (See Note below.)
Long lead time equipment was ordered from GE Vernova in December 2023. Site mobilisation is expected to commence in early 2025. The Brigalow Peaking Power Plant is expected to be operational by the middle of 2027.
(Notes: The APA Group announcement noted that agreement and development of the pipelines remains conditional and subject to CS Energy and APA internal approval, any necessary external and Government approvals, and finalisation of several development matters between APA and CS Energy, including the negotiation and entry into a full form Project Development Agreement and Gas Transportation and Storage Agreement.
The project proponent advises that development of CS Energy’s Brigalow Peaking Power Plant is subject to CS Energy internal approvals and any necessary external and Government approvals.)
Reviewed (reviewed by the project proponent): September 2024