Community
12 December, 2023
Pumping out the amps
THE Barron Gorge hydroelectric power station, which has just turned 60 years old, is performing more efficiently and productively today than in its history.
Tom Metcalfe, the boss of the station’s operators Cleanco, said there were at least another 60 years left in the power generator.
“It’s just getting started … it’s like an adolescent and has a long future in front of it,” he said.
“Far from slowing down, operations at Barron Gorge are increasingly critical to the energy transformation. This last financial year saw Barron Gorge power station generate 334,416 MWh– that’s 47.59 per cent more than the previous year and the highest generation since 2019.”
Mr Metcalfe said there were also three months this year that it produced the most electricity ever.
He said it was a combination of high levels of water, good maintenance, continued investment and efficient management.
“Even more critical is that Barron’s generation can be delivered when the market needs it the most. The water resource is controllable, allowing Barron to play a vital role in backing up CleanCo’s solar and wind resources when the sun isn’t shining or when the wind isn’t blowing,” Mr Metcalfe said.
The station can develop enough electricity to power 36,000 homes and the power is sold to the national electricity market.
Mr Metcalfe said the station played a critical role in releasing water at 3pm each day for white water rafting while also generating electricity to meet peak demand as night fell and as solar dropped as the sun went down.
Member for Barron River Craig Crawford said hydroelectricity was one of the oldest forms of renewable energy.
He said the power station had been providing clean green energy well before governments got “hot and sweaty over climate change”.
“It also supports a really great local attraction for adventure-seekers with the water discharged from the power station creating the world-famous Barron River rapids,” he said.
The power station also provided work for young people with first-year electrical apprentice Aelira Catalina, 18, of Mt Sheridan saying that she loved the job and had hopes of competing an engineering degree after she finished her four years of on-the-job training.
“There isn’t a single day where I don’t learn something new, whether it be practical knowledge or electrical theory related specifically to power generation,” she said. “It feels very special to be a part of something that has such a significant history.
“The last major overhaul was done the year I was born.
“The modern station is as old as I am.
“Not only do I get to immerse myself in the electrical trade, but I am also surrounded by masses of experience in mechanical and electrical engineering, fitting and turning, control systems, and so much more.”
