From legacy to innovation: exploring new uses for Swanbank coal ash
CleanCo’s Swanbank site has a plentiful supply of coal ash, a legacy of 50 years of energy generation from two coal-fired power stations that once operated at the Ipswich site. In a new collaboration with critical minerals manufacturer Lava Blue, CleanCo is helping to explore whether this ash could be used as feedstock for High Purity Alumina (HPA), a key material in clean energy applications.
Supported by a $480,000 grant from the Queensland Government’s Collaborative Development Program, Lava Blue recently collected coal ash samples from Swanbank to assess its potential as feedstock for HPA.
HPA is a high-value, in-demand material used in LED lighting, synthetic sapphire glass for scratch-resistant lenses, and ceramic coatings in lithium-ion batteries.
The research will be carried out at Lava Blue’s Centre for Predictive Research into Speciality Materials (PRISM) in the Redlands, with early results from the research expected in late 2026.
As CleanCo transforms our Swanbank site into a Clean Energy Hub, responsibly repurposing coal ash is one way we’re closing the loop – creating sustainable opportunities from legacy materials to support the energy transition.
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Swanbank E Reaches New Peak After $80M Upgrade
CleanCo’s Swanbank E Power Station has delivered its highest-ever output, generating a record 385 megawatts and exceeding operational expectations for the first time in the station’s history.
Responding to grid demand, the unit briefly peaked at 387 megawatts, surpassing its technical design target and marking a major performance milestone for the publicly owned asset.
This achievement follows the safe and successful delivery of an $80 million maintenance and upgrade program, completed late last year.
CleanCo Chief Executive Officer Tom Metcalfe said the milestone was the direct result of targeted investment and the capability of CleanCo’s people.
“This record generation result shows what’s possible when we back our assets with the right maintenance, investment and operational focus,” Mr Metcalfe said.
“CleanCo has a strong track record of safely maximising the performance of our generation assets to drive affordable, reliable and sustainable energy outcomes for Queenslanders.
“Through strategic investment, skilled operation and a focus on performance, this result supports the aims of the Queensland Government’s Electricity Maintenance Guarantee, which prioritises reliable, high-performing generation to support Queenslanders and the economy.
“It highlights the critical role Swanbank E plays in our portfolio and the strength of Queensland’s publicly owned energy assets.”
CleanCo Chief Operating Officer Terry Jobling said the result demonstrated the essential role flexible generation continues to play in Queensland’s evolving energy mix.
“Gas generation continues to play a critical role in providing secure, dispatchable power that underpins grid reliability as Queensland transitions to a more renewable energy mix,” Mr Jobling said.
“What this milestone shows is that well-managed assets like Swanbank E are ready to ramp up fast and reliably, when needed.”
The upgrade included major turbine works to improve efficiency, emissions performance and operational flexibility. The program also supported regional economic activity, delivering an estimated $3–4 million boost to the Ipswich and western Brisbane economies through local procurement and services.
Swanbank E is one of Australia’s most efficient gas-fired power stations and continues to play a vital role in maintaining system reliability as the state’s energy mix evolves.
Fast facts:
- Swanbank E achieved a record output of 385MW, briefly peaking at 387MW – the highest in the station’s history.
- The $80 million upgrade was completed in late 2024, delivering performance, efficiency and emissions improvements.
- The upgrade boosted the local economy by $3–4 million through local procurement and services in Ipswich and western Brisbane.
- Operating capacity is influenced by environmental conditions such as ambient temperature, meaning maximum output may vary throughout the year.
- The result supports the Queensland Government’s Electricity Maintenance Guarantee, which prioritises reliable, high-performing public generation.
CleanCo Hits 8 of 9 Maintenance Guarantee Targets, Breaks Records Across Fleet
CleanCo today confirmed it had met eight of nine targets in the first year of the Queensland Government’s Electricity Maintenance Guarantee, while delivering record-breaking generation performance across its energy portfolio.
CleanCo’s Chief Executive Officer Tom Metcalfe said prioritising safety was central to the decision-making process that led to proactive maintenance at the Barron Gorge and Swanbank E power stations, resulting in the slight (~1%) miss against our forced outage target.
“Our first and foremost priority is always the safety of our people, communities, and assets,” Mr Metcalfe said.
“We’re proud to have delivered strong results across eight of nine Electricity Maintenance Guarantee targets in just its first year of operation. In the one area we fell short, we made the right call – taking the time to do things safely and thoroughly.”
The outages included vital rectification work at Barron Gorge Hydro Power Station in Cairns, and follow-up maintenance at Swanbank E Power Station in Ipswich after an $80 million upgrade to improve efficiency and emissions performance. Both stations have since safely returned to full, reliable operation.
Despite these temporary outages, CleanCo achieved exceptional generation results across its portfolio in FY25:
- Swanbank E Power Station reached a record peak output of 387MW – the highest in its 23-year operational history – shortly after returning from the maintenance outage.
- Wivenhoe Pumped Hydro delivered its highest-ever annual generation output of 767 GWh in over 40 years of operation, demonstrating its essential role in providing reliable and sustainable energy.
- Kareeya Hydro recorded its third-highest annual generation in over 65 years of operation, and best performance since 2011, producing nearly 623 GWh.
Mr Metcalfe emphasised that the strong generation performance reflected CleanCo’s alignment with the EMG’s goals of affordability, reliability and sustainability.
“CleanCo continues to deliver significant public value through our commitment to safe, affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy generation.
“This reflects the strength of our generation portfolio, and I thank our dedicated site teams for their professionalism and hard work in delivering these results,” Mr Metcalfe said.
CleanCo provides real-time outage reporting on its website.
Have your say on the future of Swanbank Lakeside Park
CleanCo is inviting the Ipswich community to help shape the future of Swanbank Lakeside Park, as part of a broader project to revitalise the historic Swanbank power station precinct.
Located within the Swanbank Clean Energy Hub precinct, the park is a unique green space with views across Swanbank Lake. It has a rich history in the Ipswich region. Once a popular gathering place for local families and community events, the park remains a special part of the area’s landscape.
This refresh reflects CleanCo’s commitment to listening to the community and delivering positive outcomes that showcase local values and connection.
Part of the fabric of Ipswich
CleanCo’s Community Performance Manager Natasha Shaw said Swanbank Lakeside Park has long been part of the fabric of Ipswich.
“For generations, locals have come out to Swanbank to picnic, celebrate birthdays, or just take in the peace and quiet – it’s part of our local story,” Ms Shaw said.
“As Ipswich continues to grow and change, we want to make sure this space reflects what the community values. That’s why we’re having this conversation and this is your chance to shape its future.
“Whether it’s more picnic and play areas, better walking tracks or protecting the natural surrounds, we want to hear directly from locals.”
Locals excited to see the revitalised park
Swanbank Clean Energy Hub Community Reference Group member Thiew Atem has been involved in community consultation about the CleanCo site for more than two years and said he is excited about the revitalisation of the Lakeside Park.
“I live close by the Swanbank site at Ripley. My wife and I are always looking for nearby places to explore and enjoy with our young family. It would be great to have another park close to Ripley that gives us space for enjoying outdoor activities,” Mr Atem said.
“I really hope Ipswich residents take the opportunity to provide feedback about the concept designs for the park. It’s important that the design meets the needs of our growing community.”
Vote now!
Community consultation is now open, with a short online survey available throughout July.
As part of the consultation, the community can explore and engage on a range of proposed features, including picnic and play areas, walking paths, native gardens, signage and improved access.
The refresh forms part of CleanCo’s broader transformation of the Swanbank precinct into a Clean Energy Hub, a future-focused site that brings together sustainable energy generation, large-scale battery storage and space for the community to enjoy. Building on more than half a century of energy generation history, the Swanbank precinct continues to evolve as a key contributor to Queensland’s energy future.
Consultation is open until 31 July 2025. To complete the survey or find out more, visit: Swanbank Lake Park revitalisation | Reimagine Swanbank
Empowering aged care in the Somerset region
Navigating the aged care system can be complex, but with the right support, it becomes much more manageable.
CleanCo is proud to support Somerset Assist through our Community Futures Fund. Built on the philosophy of ‘locals assisting locals’, Somerset Assist offers a range of services to help older people in the Somerset region access the support they need.
Our funding enabled Somerset Assist to purchase a marquee for use at community events—raising their profile while providing valuable information about aged care services. We also supported catering costs for local information sessions, which bring together aged care providers and clients in an inclusive, welcoming environment.
Somerset Assist’s support begins from the very first phone call and continues through every step of the journey. Their team stays in touch during the aged care assessment process and advocates when a client’s needs change.
Many of their services are offered by dedicated volunteers—a true reflection of the organisation’s deep commitment to supporting and valuing older Australians.
At CleanCo, we’re proud to help create a future where community care and connection thrive. Learn more about the services provided by Somerset Assist here. Read more about the Community Futures Fund.
Backing the future of cricket in Cairns
CleanCo is proud to be supporting Mulgrave Combined Cricket Club through our Community Futures Fund, helping a growing community club bring cricket to more locals in the Cairns region.
Mulgrave Combined Cricket is one of the largest and most inclusive clubs in Far North Queensland.
With over 500 members across junior, senior and veteran teams—as well as social formats for all ages—it’s a club that brings people together around a shared love of sport.
For many families, sport is more than just a weekend activity. It’s a place to belong, to be active, and to feel part of something.
That’s why CleanCo’s Community Futures Fund backed Mulgrave’s efforts to provide new gear for its Indigenous and multicultural cricket programs.
The funding is already helping reduce costs for junior players and boost participation—especially for families who might otherwise struggle to cover equipment or registration fees.
Thanks to the extra support, the club has already added two new junior teams this season and is expecting even more growth next year.
This is what our clean energy journey is really about. We’re not just investing in renewable generation—we’re investing in Queenslanders.
By supporting inclusive community initiatives like this, we’re helping build a stronger, more connected future for everyone.
“It’s not just about new bats and pads. It’s about seeing more kids on the field, more families on the sidelines, and more opportunities for everyone to be part of the game,” said a club spokesperson.
If you’re in the Cairns area and thinking about giving cricket a go, Mulgrave Combined trains on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5pm. Or you can sign up online here.
CleanCo is proud to stand behind clubs like Mulgrave. Because building Queensland’s new energy generation means backing the community too.
Bringing people together in Gailes – one BBQ at a time
In the heart of Gailes in Ipswich, a small neighbourhood centre is delivering vital community support – and CleanCo is proud to be part of it.
For more than 20 years, Gailes Community House has run social and practical programs to build friendships and connect individuals and families with local support services.
Through our Community Futures Fund, CleanCo proudly funded a new BBQ and rice cooker for the centre. This means Gailes Community House can continue to host its free monthly BBQ lunch – a much-loved event that brings 30–40 locals together for a meal and a chat.
The House also offers computer access and free Wi-Fi, a street library, budget-friendly food, fitness classes and individual supports.
The CleanCo Community Futures Fund provides grants of up to $5000 for organisations supporting community-building initiatives near our assets.
Want to learn more about the fund?
Meet our first Battery Superintendent
With energisation of the Swanbank Battery firmly in our sights, CleanCo has appointed Steve Hogg to its first ever role of Battery Superintendent.
Steve brings wide-ranging experience across the energy sector, having worked in hydro power stations, high voltage substations and gas-fired stations as well as a grid-scale battery project on the Western Downs. He’s excited to take on the role of Battery Superintendent for CleanCo’s first grid-scale owned and operated battery at Swanbank in Ipswich.
The right experience for the job
Steve certainly has the right experience for the job. Prior to joining CleanCo, he was a Project Manager with Powertech, an engineering and technical services business operating across Australia and South East Asia. In this role he managed long term service agreements with major companies such as Shell and Origin.
Steve’s wide and varied career has also seen him working in electronics and electrical infrastructure in the army and managing Snowy Hydro’s T1 and T2 hydro power stations.
Proud to be part of the CleanCo team
“CleanCo has a fantastic portfolio of low emission assets that are playing a key role in helping customers make the transition to net zero. I’m proud to lead the team looking after CleanCo’s newest asset, the Swanbank Battery,” he said.
Providing Possums with a safe place to call home
At CleanCo, we’re proud to support initiatives that protect Queensland’s unique wildlife and strengthen our communities. One such project is the Possum Box Program from the Tablelands Wildlife Rescue, which CleanCo was thrilled to support through our Community Futures Fund. This initiative is a practical, compassionate solution helping native possums find safe shelter while reducing human-wildlife conflict.
Giving possums a head start
The primary goal of the program is to introduce these nesting boxes to young possums while they’re still in care. When the time comes to return them to the wild, they’re soft-released with their own familiar box, providing a sense of security as they readjust to life outside.
Possums naturally rotate between several shelters in the wild, and the box becomes one dependable option in that cycle, supporting their instincts and survival.
A backyard alternative for locals
The boxes also serve a second, equally important purpose: helping local residents live more harmoniously with wildlife. Often, possums seek refuge in roof cavities, which can create issues for homeowners. In these cases, people can request a box for their backyard, providing a safe and appealing alternative for the animals.
The Tablelands Wildlife Rescue have helped distribute countless boxes for this purpose and each one is a small but meaningful step toward coexisting with these native species.
Built by community, backed by CleanCo
These sturdy, purpose-built boxes are produced by a local Men’s Shed group, bringing community craftsmanship and care to every build. CleanCo is proud to sponsor this work, recognising the Men’s Shed not only for their skills, but for the valuable social connection and purpose their involvement fosters.
We’re grateful for the opportunity to partner in a program that makes such a direct and lasting impact.
