QLD Government reveals Stanwell Power Station transformation

The Queensland Government is providing a first glimpse of the transformation of the Stanwell Power Station into a clean energy hub. 

Beginning the transformation, publicly owned energy company Stanwell Corporation will be constructing the Future Energy and Innovation Training Hub (FEITH). 

This project aligns with the State Government’s massive $19 billion commitment for renewable energy as well as Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan that will unlock 100,000 new industrial jobs in hydrogen, renewables, manufacturing, and critical minerals. 

“This is concrete proof that the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan is driving investment and new opportunities in our region, supporting workers to be partners in the energy transformation, and capturing new opportunities to create secure, ongoing, good jobs. 

“Last year the Premier and I committed to not shut the gate on this power station and to give it a new life, with more workers, playing a leading role in the energy transformation – today, we deliver on that commitment,” Member for Keppel and Assistant Minister for Health and Regional Health Infrastructure Brittany Lauga said. 

The new hub is valued at about $100 million, and it will be the size of a shopping centre. FEITH is expected to provide the “sandbox” to test innovative new energy technology such as wind, solar, hydrogen and battery storage. 

This facility will also provide a real-life, hands-on training environment for local employees in the energy sector to develop skills needed to work on renewable energy technologies. 

“We are delivering on our commitment to reinvest in this power station with new renewable energy, renewable hydrogen, storage, and system strength infrastructure, leveraging the strategic advantages of the site. 

“This investment locks in the opportunity for CQ workers to lead a green hydrogen industry with the potential to grow demand for renewable energy, assist in domestic supply for decarbonisation, and create the opportunity to export our CQ renewable resources to the world,” Member for Rockhampton and Queensland Hydrogen Champion Barry O’Rourke said. 

“The Stanwell Clean Energy Hub will play an important role in unlocking investment in net zero economic transformation to support Queensland’s energy transition,” Chair of the Net Zero Economy Agency Greg Combet AM said. 

The FEITH project has three purposes, including: 

• Commercialisation Testing 
  • Incubation and acceleration space for pilot energy projects 
  • Testing of new technology and develop and drive it to a commercialisation stage 
• Research and Development 
  • A trial site for experimentation, development and testing 
  • A space to explore technologies targeted for specific energy solutions for specific purposes 
  • A feeder for technologies to be integrated into clean energy hubs 
• Training and Education 
  • Training, upskilling and micro-credentials for Stanwell staff and other industry workers 
  • Enhancing apprenticeship learning opportunities 
  • A demonstration centre where community members, education providers and schools can learn about emerging energy technologies 

Stanwell Clean Energy Hub (source: Queensland Government)

The project is proposed to be built in phases over a five-year period. Works will start later this year with the establishment of common infrastructure as well as civil works. Future phases of the project will include the delivery of a skills academy and demonstration centre where the community can go to learn about new energy technologies. 

“The FEITH project will be the visible bright spark of Stanwell’s transformation to clean energy and our vision for FEITH to be a catalyst for advancing the energy transformation, not just at Stanwell, but for the entire State. 

“It will increase our understanding of new energy technologies and their application in building Stanwell’s renewable energy portfolio and driving the development of Queensland hydrogen industry. 

“And just as importantly, it will help us create the energy workforce Queensland needs for the future through hands-on skills development and training,” Stanwell Chief Executive Officer Michael O’Rourke said. 

The Stanwell Power Station – located about 22 kilometres west of Rockhampton – has a capacity of 1,460MW and it sits between the potential future Capricorn and Calliope Renewable Energy Zones (REZ) that was outlined in Queensland’s Draft REZ Roadmap. 

The two REZ are anticipated to connect between 1,900 and 3,800MW of installed generation and are estimated to create up to 650 construction jobs, supported by the Jobs Security Guarantee for the existing workforce. 

The REZ in Central Queensland spans 10 local government areas and supports key industries like agriculture, construction, minerals processing, and manufacturing in the region to help meet their clean energy goals as well as demand from global markets. 

“Our Queensland Draft Renewable Energy Zone Roadmap demonstrates our unique ability to deliver benefits for local communities through infrastructure, transport, housing and accommodation, workforce, supply chains, waste management, biodiversity protection other land uses, and social infrastructure, as well as local industry and First Nations considerations. 

“We’ve always said that Queensland’s publicly owned power station will continue to play an important role in our future energy system as clean energy hubs because they are located in strong parts of the network with strategic advantages like grid connection, a highly skilled workforce, established community relationships, and land,” Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni said. 

Source: Queensland Government – Media Statements; Renew Economy; Australian Resources; Infrastructure Magazine