MILLMERRAN POWER PROJECT- The Facts
Millmerran Power is a two unit generating station located near the town of Millmerran in south west Queensland.
Millmerran Power is among the most energy efficient and environmentally advanced coal-fired projects in Australia.
It supplies enough electricity to power approximately 1.1 million homes.
A base-load power station, the plant produces power at optimum levels for 24 hours every day.
Coal for the power station comes from the adjacent open-cut coal mine, which not only helps lower consumer electricity costs but also creates minimal environmental impact on the surrounding land.
Safety
Millmerran Power has a proud safety record of more than five years with no Lost Time Injuries.
Environmental Milestones
Millmerran Power’s sophisticated “supercritical” boiler technology reduces coal use and produces 10 per cent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than conventional coal-fired plants.
The use of air-cooling technology to condense the steam from the turbine exhaust, results in 90 per cent less water use than conventional plants.
The process water that is used is tertiary treated effluent sourced from the local community and processed by a project-built pipeline and treatment plant.
A program to plant around the trees around the 9,000 hectare site will help link wildlife corridors on the project land as well as protect a rare grass species.
All run-off water is contained on site and is re-used, ensuring no sediment enters local waterways.
All waste ash from the combustion process is deposited back in the mine to avoid the need for an environmentally hazardous ash store dam.
Millmerran’s Environmental Monitoring Program assesses any impacts on water, air, soil, flora, and fauna. Millmerran performs monthly monitoring of surface water, sediment, and dust quality, weather and climatic conditions, noise levels, emissions screening, and agricultural impacts.
Community Commitment
Millmerran Power has established a A$2 million Community Benefits Fund, which grants money to a wide range of organizations and areas such as water supply and sewage treatment upgrades, computers for adult educational centres, and constructing a hospital helipad.
Millmerran Power has strengthened ties with Aboriginal groups to preserve and promote the region's cultural heritage including building a Cultural Resource Centre as a “keeping place” for historical artifacts, which hosts visits by local schools and citizens.
Cultural Heritage Funds were established with three Traditional Owner groups to fund education, training, and development skills for their members.
People Power
Millmerran Power Project provides direct employment to about 230 people and supports additional employment through support of local industries and associated economic activity.