The Tarong Power Station is a coal fired power station located on a 1500 hectare site near the Burnett River and Nanango, in Queensland, Australia. The station has a maximum generating capacity of 1470 megawatts, generated from a total of four turbines. Tarong Energy is the Queensland Government owned corporation that currently manages the plant.

Coal is supplied via a conveyor from Meandu Mine, which is 1.5 km away. The mine was operated by Rio Tinto Coal Australia. However Tarong Energy has recently purchased this mine. Coal supply beyond 2010 will most probably be delivered from the yet to be developed Kunioon Mine.

[edit] Water supply

Water is supplied via pipeline from Boondooma Dam, west of Proston and Wivenhoe Dam. However due to drought conditions persisting, the Queensland Government directed the plant to stop taking water from Wivenhoe Dam from the 1 March 2006. ^[1] These water supply problems reduced electrical output to less than half of maximum capacity.^[2] In 2007, the Western Corridor Recycled Water Project began delivery of recycled water to the power station allowing electical output to increase again.^[3]

[edit] Emissions

The power station emits 9.84 million tonnes of greenhouse gases each year^[4] as a result of burning coal. Greenhouse gases may be responsible for climate change. The IPCC says that developed countries should reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25 to 40% by 2020 and by 80 to 95% by 2050. ^[5]. The Australian government has announced a target for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions of 60% from 2000 levels by 2050.

[edit] See also

Energy portal

Australia portal

• Fossil fuel power plant

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Tarong Energy
• Air Quality in Nanango Shire