Biloela, QLD – In the ever-evolving world of power generation, innovation drives progress. This is exemplified by the recent completion of a major cooling tower replacement project at the Callide C Power Station near Biloela in Queensland, Australia. Callide C Power Station is owned by CS Energy in a joint venture with IG Power (Callide) Ltd.

IWC Australasia, has successfully designed and constructed two state-of-the-art pultruded GRP cooling towers, marking a significant milestone in the power station's ongoing commitment to efficiency and reliability.

Callide C Power Station, a critical contributor to Australia’s energy grid, undertook a transformative phase by replacing its aging wooden cross flow cooling towers with state-of-the-art mechanical draught counterflow cooling towers featuring Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) structures. These new cooling towers, each consisting of 18 cells and spanning over 200 meters, represent a bold shift in construction methodology and material technology from the previous cooling towers.

Environemtnally Friendly Materials

Designed to meet rigorous standards,  pultruded GRP cooling towers offer numerous advantages over traditional materials. Pultruded GRP is celebrated for its extended service life, superior corrosion resistance, and robust performance under harsh conditions. Lightweight yet rigid, the material also enables faster construction times.

Collaboration Drives Success

The completion of this ambitious project is a testament to the collaborative efforts of all parties involved. IWC Australasia, together with subcontractor UGL, worked tirelessly to ensure the successful erection and commissioning of the two new cooling towers. The project was executed with precision, ensuring minimal disruption to the power station’s ongoing operations.

“We are incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication demonstrated by our team and partners throughout this project,” said Roger Rusch, Managing Director from IWC Australasia. “These cooling towers are a leap forward, showcasing the potential of pultruded GRP in large-scale energy infrastructure. We thank CS Energy for entrusting us with this critical project and our construction partner UGL for their unwavering support.”

A Bright Future Ahead

With the completion of this project,  Callide C is  poised to meet the growing energy demands of Queensland with enhanced efficiency and reliability. This upgrade sets a benchmark for future projects in the power generation industry.