Forensic investigator brought in to examine Callide power station blast
CS Energy has brought in forensic engineer Dr Sean Brady to lead an external, independent investigation and review of the catastrophic incident at the Callide power station which led to widespread blackouts in south east Queensland last month.
The damaged unit 4 at Callide C
Chief executive Andrew Bills said Dr Brady would investigate the cause of the Callide incident and would be supported by individual experts.
“CS Energy is committed to understanding the facts that led to the C4 event so we can learn from it and improve the safety of our people and plant,” Bills said.
“The scope of the investigation will be broad in nature and will assess both technical and organisational factors that could have contributed to the C4 incident.
“It will be a highly complex investigation and Dr Brady has been given the authority to expand its scope based on progressive findings.
“As a result, the timeframes for finalising the investigation cannot be confirmed at this stage and will instead be provided as the investigation progresses and more information becomes available.”
Brady recently completed an investigation into the causes of fatalities in the state’s mining and quarrying industry.
There are separate inquiries into the Callide incident being conducted by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland and the Australian Energy Market Operator.
CS Energy has said Callide’s unit B1 was expected to return to service on tomorrow and unit B2 on June 20.
Callide C, which is owned in a 50/50 joint venture with InterGen. will return to service on July 2. Unit 4, however, would be out for a year.
The loss of the Callide units has led to pricing volatility across the national electricity market, particularly during the recent cold snap.
