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TRUenergy is progressing with plans for new power generation facilities to help secure electricity supply for all Queenslanders, with a planning application for the Blackstone gas fired power station currently being considered by the Ipswich City Council.
Project specialists from the Blackstone power station development team will be out in the community this week with the company hosting a series of Information Displays at local shopping centres.
Senior Manager Queensland Development, Brian Restall, said TRUenergy was looking to develop new, state-of-the-art power stations for Queensland to match expected increasing consumer demand.
“Growth in Queensland energy consumption is increasing as a result of population growth and substantial industrial expansion,” he said.
“TRUenergy is progressing well with the development of a new, efficient gas-fired power station to meet this demand and provide a strong degree of energy security for all Queenslanders,” he said.
The $350 million Blackstone power station will be built on industrial land within the 500ha Swanbank New Chum Enterprise Park, near Ipswich.
Initially, the power station will provide around 500MW of electricity but will be built to enable expansion of around 1500MW once market indicators signal a need for further generation to be brought on stream.
If plans for the power station are approved by Ipswich City Council and the market and regulatory conditions continue to be favourable then construction is likely to start in 2013.
Mr Restall explained that there will be economic benefits generated by this project that will flow through to the local community.
“To construct the Blackstone power station we will need to hire 400 workers, many of whom will come from or move to Ipswich and surrounds,” he said.
“This then generates income for local businesses, suppliers and trades via investment of wages, purchase of goods and services and also via the rates we will pay to Council.”
“Once the power station is complete, 30-50 workers will remain onsite and in the community, ensuring this economic investment is maintained over the longer term,” he said.
Blackstone power station will also deliver environmental benefits producing 85% less greenhouse gas emissions than the Swanbank B coal-fired power station, improving local air quality.
Mr Restall said interested residents and businesses should consider dropping into the Project Information Displays as community feedback on TRUenergy’s proposed plans was of critical importance.
TRUenergy Information Displays will be located at Riverlink Shopping Centre, Wednesday 11 July from 10am – 2pm and Thursday 12 July 4pm – 8pm, and at Redbank Plaza on Friday 13 July from 1pm – 4pm.
Further information on the project and TRUenergy is available at www.energyaustralia.com.au.