Media Release
CleanCo caps strong summer with record electricity generation
CleanCo has delivered record electricity generation this summer, helping to support a reliable and secure energy system during Queensland’s highest demand period.
The publicly owned energy company recorded the largest day of electricity generation in its history on 9 January 2026, when the portfolio delivered 16.3 gigawatt hours of electricity to the Queensland grid. January also marked the highest monthly electricity generation for CleanCo, with the portfolio producing more than 387 gigawatt hours.
The summer period saw CleanCo’s highest ever seasonal generation, with the portfolio producing more than 1,090 gigawatt hours across summer 2025–26 – enough electricity to power around 200,000 Queensland homes for a year. This strong performance builds on sustained operational results, with 2025 also CleanCo’s highest ever calendar year for electricity generation.
CleanCo Chief Executive Officer Tom Metcalfe said the results highlight the importance of well-maintained assets and a diverse portfolio.
“Demand on our energy system is highest during the summer months, so it’s critical that our assets are delivering reliable electricity for Queenslanders during this time,” Mr Metcalfe said.
“That’s why the Queensland Energy Roadmap places such a strong focus on maintaining the reliability of our foundation assets as more renewable generation comes online.”
Executive General Manager of Asset Operations Rimu Nelson said the record highlights the strong operational performance of CleanCo’s generation assets.
“Delivering record generation over the summer reflects the work our teams put in year-round to maintain and optimise these assets so they are ready to perform when demand increases,” Mr Nelson said.
“Our renewable generation works alongside flexible firming assets like Wivenhoe Pumped Hydro and Swanbank E to respond quickly and support reliability across the energy system during periods of high demand.”
CleanCo’s portfolio combines renewable generation from hydro assets and privately owned wind and solar with flexible firming assets, including gas generation and pumped hydro, to help maintain reliability across Queensland’s energy system during periods of peak demand.
Fast facts:
- CleanCo recorded its highest daily electricity generation on 9 January 2026, delivering 16.3 GWh of electricity to the Queensland grid.
- Summer 25-26 marked CleanCo’s highest ever seasonal electricity generation, with the portfolio producing more than 1090 GWh.
- January 2026 marked CleanCo’s highest monthly generation, with the portfolio producing 387.5 GWh.
ENDS
Preparing for major overhaul at Wivenhoe Pumped Hydro Power Station
Planning is well underway for a major project to overhaul Unit 1 at our Wivenhoe Pumped Hydro Power Station, located west of Brisbane.
Queensland’s only pumped hydro power station has been generating lower-emission electricity for more than 40 years, and this major overhaul will ensure the station continues to operate safely and reliably for decades to come.
CleanCo owns and operates the 570MW power station, which can produce electricity for up to 10 hours when required to support the grid.
$48M investment over two years
In September 2024, the Queensland Treasurer, David Janetzki, announced a $48M investment in Wivenhoe Power Station over the next two years as part of the Electricity Maintenance Guarantee, a cornerstone of the Queensland Energy Roadmap. The Guarantee supports the ongoing safe, reliable and efficient operation of state-owned generation assets, helping to secure Queensland’s energy future as the system evolves. The Unit 1 overhaul forms part of that broader investment.
The overhaul is scheduled to begin Tuesday, 5 May 2026, bringing an additional 130 workers on site for 100 days and delivering a boost to the local economy, with an increase in demand of up to $1.3 million for local hospitality and accommodation services expected during the works.
A total of 19 specialist contractors will support the project, including Brisbane-based company Hydraulic Resolutions providing speciality hydraulic services, and Allied Rubber delivering rubber sealing solutions. The main labour component will be delivered by Downer, which was awarded the contract following a competitive tender process late last year.
Technical challenges
One of the most challenging aspects of the overhaul will be the bifurcate penstock recoating, which will involve constructing more than 40 tonnes of scaffolding inside Wivenhoe’s bifurcate — the Y-shaped junction where a single main water pipe from Splityard Creek Dam splits into two separate pipes feeding the station’s two Francis turbines.
The embedded guard gate tracks at Splityard Creek Dam, used by the plant’s high-pressure emergency intake gates, will also be maintained and upgraded.
Comprehensive maintenance of the Generator Circuit Breaker will restore the equipment to its original design specifications, supporting a further 10 to 15 years of reliable operation.
The overhaul will also include replacement of the main transformer bushings, with the high-voltage electrical insulators connecting the generator step-up transformer to the grid being swapped out as part of the works.
Specialised maintenance procedures, including generator inspections, slot wedge testing and life assessment activities, will also be undertaken to support the ongoing reliability and longevity of the station’s generator-motors.
Reduced road speed near power station
To support community safety, reduced speed limits will apply near the power station. Traffic controls will be in place – please follow directions.
CleanCo will share updates about the project as work progresses through our social media channels and website.
Community Futures Fund: supporting the wellbeing of Queensland communities
Community groups across Queensland are invited to apply for grants of up to $5,000 through the CleanCo Community Futures Fund, supporting initiatives that strengthen local wellbeing and create lasting community benefits.
The current grant round is open from 16 February to 30 March 2026.
The Community Futures Fund supports projects that make a positive difference in the communities where CleanCo lives and works. Applications are invited from:
- not-for-profit organisations
- community service providers
- First Nations initiatives
- educational institutions
- environmental associations.
Funding is available for eligible groups located in the following local government areas: Cairns, Cassowary Coast, Tablelands, Mareeba, Ipswich and Somerset.
In FY25, CleanCo supported more than 55 community initiatives across Queensland, helping local groups deliver practical projects and services that benefit their communities. Some of the organisations supported included:
- Atherton Performing Arts Inc – communication equipment and safety ladder
- Community Support Centre Innisfail Inc – support for the Community Harvest Box program
- Far North Queensland Wildlife Rescue Association Inc – fauna care products for wildlife carers
- West Moreton Health Foundation (Ipswich Hospital Foundation) – care packs and turbans for the Wig Lounge
- Marlin Coast Neighbourhood Centre Inc – solar panels and inverter for the centre
- North Ipswich Bowls Club Inc – bench seating for the bowling greens
- Linville Progress Association – resources for a community garden
- Collingwood Park State School – resources for a school garden
To learn more about the Community Futures Fund and apply, visit Community Futures Fund | CleanCo Queensland
Crisafulli Government secures long-term energy deal to power the future
The Crisafulli Government has secured a new long-term power supply agreement between CleanCo and clean energy provider Windlab, marking another step forward in delivering affordable, reliable and sustainable energy for Queenslanders.
The deal also strengthens the state’s renewable energy backbone in the North West and demonstrates the opportunities created by the CopperString transmission line project.
Under the new 10-year agreement, CleanCo will secure 75 per cent of Kennedy Energy Park’s wind energy output from mid-2028, delivering renewable power into the grid and reinforcing Hughenden’s role as a strategic energy hub.
Located near Hughenden, the heart of the CopperString project, the 43MW wind farm is known for its consistently strong wind profile and dependable annual output.
Christmas comes early for SALBAGOSS
Christmas has come early for an Ipswich after-school homework club, with CleanCo employees donating an array of books and stationery to support local students.
SALBAGOSS (Sudanese Australian Lost Boys and Girls of South Sudan), based at the Redbank Plains Community Centre, provides after-school tutoring, encouragement and healthy snacks to help primary and high school students stay engaged in learning.
CleanCo supported the club earlier in 2025 through a donation from our Community Futures Fund. When Swanbank Site Manager, Trevor Turner visited SALBAGOSS to present the donation, he identified further opportunities for CleanCo to support the group’s work.
One ongoing challenge for SALBAGOSS is providing enough learning resources for students. In response, teams from CleanCo’s Swanbank, Wivenhoe and Brisbane sites came together to collect books and unused stationery, resulting in a substantial donation. SALBAGOSS members visited our Swanbank site in December to collect the donation – and it was certainly much more than they were expecting!
This week, members of SALBAGOSS visited Swanbank to collect the materials, which will help local students start Term 1, 2026 well-equipped for the year ahead.
Endangered Mary River cod found thriving at CleanCo fishway in Ipswich
Fish sampling has identified the endangered Mary River cod using a fishway at the CleanCo-owned Berries Lagoon weir on the Bremer River in Ipswich, six years after the fishway was built.
Spanning 90 metres in length, this rock-ramp fishway was designed to restore fish passage past the weir, re-establishing connectivity between upstream and downstream reaches of the Bremer River.
This connection is important for many native species – including the endangered Mary River cod – which rely on unimpeded access to upstream breeding grounds and nursery habitats to support healthy populations. Restoring a top native predator like the Mary River cod will help strengthen river health by keeping invasive fish species such as Tilapia in check.
The Berries Lagoon fishway was built by Catchment Solutions in 2018. More recently, CleanCo has partnered with the Somerset and Wivenhoe Fish Stocking Association to release Mary River cod fingerlings into local waterways such as Bundamba Creek and the Bremer River.
After five years of re-stocking cod into Ipswich waterways, this was the first time the migratory species had been observed navigating the fishway. It’s a major win for native fish conservation.
Along with the Mary River cod, fish sampling conducted at Berries Lagoon in September found Australian bass and Sea mullet were also using the fishway – important recreational and indigenous fish species.
CleanCo’s Berries Lagoon Weir allows for an offtake of water from the Bremer River into Swanbank Cooling Water Dam, which supports operations at our gas-fired power station. CleanCo continues to manage the weir carefully to balance energy and environmental outcomes.
We’re proud to play a part in local conservation efforts. Seeing the species now migrating through the fishway is a powerful sign that our partnerships and persistence are making a real difference.
Clean Energy on the Menu for Queensland’s Food Supply Chain
Tuesday, 9 December 2025
CleanCo Queensland has signed a new agreement with Hilton Foods, the leading international multi-protein food business, to supply 100% renewable energy to its Queensland operations.
Under the agreement, energy will be sourced from CleanCo’s renewable wind and solar assets, further strengthening one of Queensland’s most important food supply chains.
Kaban Wind Farm is one of several renewables projects in Queensland that underpins the agreement.
Hilton Foods, one of Australia’s largest protein suppliers, operates a modern, purpose-built facility at Heathwood, Brisbane where it prepares and packs fresh meat for Woolworths stores in Queensland and beyond. As Woolworths’ dedicated meat processing partner , Hilton Foods plays a vital role in ensuring Australian supermarkets remain stocked with fresh, sustainable protein every day.
Together, Hilton Foods and Woolworths comprise one of Queensland’s most significant food supply chains – transforming products from local producers into ready-to-sell goods and delivering them to households. With Woolworths already partnering with CleanCo, this new agreement means that multiple stages of this value chain – from food processing through to retail distribution – are now backed by 100% renewable, firmed energy. This demonstrates how clean energy can support not just individual businesses, but the broader system that keeps Queensland households supplied.
For industry, the benefits extend well beyond emissions reduction. Reliable, affordable energy is fundamental for major employers like Hilton Foods and Woolworths, which operate at scale and serve millions of Queenslanders weekly. By embedding clean energy across the chain, CleanCo is helping ensure this supply remains dependable and sustainable, supporting the long-term success of these vital industries and the communities they serve.
CleanCo Chief Executive Tom Metcalfe said the agreement with Hilton Foods shows how CleanCo is helping decarbonise not just businesses, but entire supply chains.
“Partnering with Hilton Foods alongside Woolworths means CleanCo is powering multiple stages of Queensland’s food supply, from the processing floor to the supermarket shelf.” Mr Metcalfe said.
“This isn’t just about cleaner energy; it’s about building a stronger, more sustainable system that supports producers, retailers and the Queenslanders who depend on them every day.”
Hilton Foods, APAC CEO Mel Chambers said the company is committed to net zero.
“We do what we do for the love of good food. We’re proud to bring great food to millions of tables around Queensland with the knowledge that it was produced using clean renewable energy – that makes it taste even better.
“We’re committed to being a net zero business by 2048 and leading the way to set the agenda for the food industry globally. Initiatives like this are helping to reach this important milestone.”
ENDS
Supporting Healthy Start at Stanwell State School in CQ
CleanCo representatives joined the morning shift at Stanwell State School to support the school’s Student Food Program, delivered with funding from CleanCo’s Community Futures Fund.
Arriving early, the team assisted the school’s food coordinator in preparing breakfast, ensuring everything was ready as students began their day. Stanwell State School currently offers breakfast twice a week and lunch once a week, providing students with a consistent and nourishing start that supports learning and wellbeing.
Through CleanCo’s sponsorship, the school has been able to continue the program throughout Term 4 2025 and extend it into 2026. The funding helps cover the cost of preparing, serving and cleaning up meals, enabling the program to reach even more students, more often.
The visit offered a meaningful reminder of the impact small, hands-on actions can have. Simple tasks – like chopping fruit or setting up toast stations – support an initiative that, for some students, provides the most stable meal of their day. The program has already made a tangible difference to the school community, with benefits felt throughout the term.
The Student Food Program reflects exactly what CleanCo’s Community Futures Fund and Thriving Communities Strategy aim to achieve: practical, place-based initiatives that deliver real outcomes for regional Queensland, supporting greater equity in education, health and opportunity.
CleanCo extends its thanks to Stanwell State School for the warm welcome and for the opportunity to contribute. This initiative is another strong example of how CleanCo continues to show up in Central Queensland with curiosity, collaboration and genuine care.
Major Wivenhoe bulkhead project on track for December completion
A major $3.7 million project is underway at Wivenhoe to refurbish the Splityard Creek Dam bulkhead system — a crucial asset that ensures the safety and reliability of the Power Station.
The bulkhead features three massive gates, each weighing around 22 tonnes, which allow the safe isolation of turbine pumps and penstocks during maintenance. This refurbishment marks the first major maintenance on the gates in 25 years and is a key preparatory milestone ahead of Wivenhoe’s major outage planned for May 2026.
To remove the gates, an 80-tonne crane was carefully manoeuvred across a narrow concrete bridge at the dam intake. Each gate was then carefully transported along Wivenhoe–Somerset Road to the Nu-Steel facility. Inside Nu-Steel, the gates are undergoing sandblasting, precision welding repairs, and the installation of new seals — critical to ensuring a watertight fit when the gates are in use. A fresh protective coating system will complete the process, with the entire refurbishment expected to take around 16 weeks.
Once the refurbished gates return to service, the team will perform leak-testing to confirm the system’s performance and readiness for future maintenance campaigns. This work helps ensure Wivenhoe continues to provide safe, reliable, flexible energy for Queenslanders.
Linville community garden becomes a reality
A new community garden in Linville is set to bring people together — and provide plenty of fruit for jam-making — thanks to support from CleanCo’s Community Futures Fund. As a Queensland Government-owned clean energy company, CleanCo is proud to support initiatives that strengthen regional communities.
Our sponsorship of the Linville Progress Association community garden project has helped volunteers create a “jam wall” trellis for fruit trees, along with purchasing trees, gardening equipment, improved drainage and additional water outlets.
Local residents worked together to design the garden, located behind the community hall. The Progress Association hopes it will become a focal point for local celebrations, a source of fresh produce and a new attraction for visitors exploring the nearby Brisbane Valley Rail Trail.
The Linville community hall is already a thriving hub for the Somerset region, hosting craft groups, indoor sports and movie nights, and serving as an official disaster centre in times of emergency.
With support from CleanCo, the dream of a community garden for Linville is becoming a reality.
