Swanbank E Power Station – Offline
16 April 2025
Swanbank E Power Station is currently offline following a fault identified in the gas turbine cooling air system on Friday 4 April.
Consistent with market obligations, notification of the outage was provided to the Australian Energy Market Operator on 4 April 2025.
CleanCo has been working closely with the original equipment manufacturer and independent experts to carry out the associated repair and further detailed inspections and assurance activities across the affected system and other components recently serviced during the unit’s major overhaul late last year.
While Swanbank E was originally scheduled to return to service on 18 April, inspections on 15 April identified two additional flange fittings requiring attention. While repairs are progressing as planned, sourcing of specialist components and machining delays on the blowoff valve shaft have resulted in a revised return-to-service date.
The Australian Energy Market Operator and CleanCo’s outage register have been updated.
CleanCo has a diversified generation portfolio that includes hydro, gas and renewable energy assets, ensuring we can meet customer demand and maintain support for the electricity grid during the outage.
Swanbank E is currently scheduled to return to service on 23 April 2025.
Information on CleanCo’s outages can be found at www.cleancoqueensland.com.au/portfolio/outages/ or via this link.
ENDS
Five Years of CleanCo: A Milestone in Queensland’s Clean Energy Journey
Published: 31 October 2024
Today we celebrated five years of CleanCo’s commitment to delivering clean energy solutions for Queensland. Since our establishment, we’ve been dedicated to helping customers thrive in a net-zero future, and we’re proud to reflect on the incredible journey that has brought us here. As we celebrate this milestone, we also look ahead to the exciting developments on the horizon.
A Strong Foundation: Our Early Days
CleanCo was created with a clear mission—to support Queensland’s transition to a renewable energy future. In 2019, we began trading in the National Electricity Market, acquiring our foundational assets: Wivenhoe, Barron Gorge, Kareeya, Koombooloomba, and Swanbank. These assets laid the groundwork for what has become an impressive clean energy portfolio.
The following year, we celebrated a major achievement with the signing of our first customer and the generation of over 1,200 GWh between 2019 and 2020.
Accelerating Our Impact
In just five years, CleanCo’s impact has grown exponentially. Since signing our first power purchase agreement (PPA) with the MacIntyre Wind Farm for 400 MW, we’ve made incredible strides. Today, CleanCo has generated more than 10,000 GWh of clean energy, signed five PPAs, and secured nearly 2.3 GW of projects in Central Queensland. We’ve also created the Swanbank Clean Energy Hub and begun construction on our first big battery, further solidifying our role as a key player in the state’s clean energy transformation.
Beyond energy, CleanCo is committed to the communities we serve. We’ve directed over $150,000 to support community initiatives, welcomed 24 new customers, and grown our team to over 300 passionate employees.
Strategy and Growth Pipeline
CleanCo’s new enterprise strategy sets bold goals to lead Queensland’s renewable energy transition. We aim to service 20% of the state’s energy market with a diverse 5 GW fleet of wind and solar, supported by gas, hydro, and energy storage.
Sustainability and net-zero targets remain central to everything we do. We are committed to delivering positive social and environmental outcomes for our people, customers, and communities. Driving this transformation will be our diverse and connected team, operational excellence, and a focus on digital transformation.
Celebrating Our People
None of our success would be possible without the incredible people who make up CleanCo. Our team’s dedication and passion for renewable energy is the driving force behind our achievements. Together, we are shaping a cleaner, more sustainable future for Queensland.
Happy five years to us!
Wivenhoe Pumped Hydro Smashes Generation Record
Published: 27 September, 2024
- Wivenhoe Power Station has set a new generation record in Q3 2024, surpassing all previous records since its commissioning in 1984.
- The station’s two pumped hydro units have generated 199GWh since 1 July 2024, which is around 5.2 times the station’s historical quarterly average.
- Wivenhoe’s ability to store excess solar energy during the day and discharge it during peak demand in the evening and overnight demonstrates the importance of pumped hydro in Queensland’s clean energy future
CleanCo’s Wivenhoe Power Station has set a new quarterly generation record, surpassing all previous production milestones since the station began operating in 1984—and all before the third quarter of 2024 even ended.
The two pumped hydro units at Wivenhoe have generated an impressive 199GWh since 1 July 2024, exceeding the station’s historical quarterly average by more than 5.2 times. This performance highlights the increasing value of pumped hydro in Queensland’s evolving energy landscape, where renewable generation is increasing rapidly.
Wivenhoe’s capability to store excess solar energy during the day and discharge it during the evening peak and overnight has proven to be a crucial tool for balancing supply and demand. By capturing surplus solar generation and delivering it when demand is highest, Wivenhoe is putting downward pressure on electricity prices and ensuring Queensland’s electricity supply remains reliable as the state transitions to a clean energy future.
Quotes attributable to CleanCo CEO Tom Metcalfe:
“Wivenhoe is showing exactly why pumped hydro is such a powerful asset in today’s energy market. This station is playing a vital role in supporting more renewable energy in Queensland, and this new generation record underscores the importance of continued investment in clean energy solutions.
“As Queensland looks to a net zero future, CleanCo continues to deliver energy solutions that support the growth of renewable generation and ensure our customers have access to reliable, low-emission energy to support their decarbonisation journey.”
FAST FACTS
- Wivenhoe Pumped Hydro was commissioned in 1984
- Wivenhoe Power Station holds two Francis type turbines and at 285MW each, they are Australia’s largest, weighing an incredible 1,500 tonnes each.
- Wivenhoe Hydro acts like one giant rechargeable battery, with the ability to quickly generate electricity with the capacity to support up to 10 hours of continuous power generation.
CleanCo media contact – Lincoln Howe 0422 678 188 / Erin Oram 0431 089 686