Longreach Power Station, 1921-
Description
The complex consists of the engine room containing 8 engines with their direct coupled generators and switchboards, the Gas Producer Annexe containing 2 coal burning gas producers and a railway locomotive with a coal wagon depicting how coal was delivered from the Blair Athol coal field to the power station.
Commenced in 1921, the Longreach power station supplied the town and surrounds with electricity produced by Gas Engines supplied by gas producers, initially with wood and later with coal. Progressive expansion saw the capacity reach 2985 MW in 1985 when it was closed after the 120,000 sq. km area was connected to the Queensland Grid. The Longreach Council converted it to a museum in 1994, and all the 9 engines installed from 1946 are now on display, including the Crossley-Premier 933 hp Engine driving a 650 kW generator installed in 1960. This was fuelled by the unique coal-fired producer gas, and was reported at the time to be the largest generation combination of its type in Australia.
It is significant in that it is the sole remaining power house of this type in Queensland and is still largely in the condition in which it operated when decommissioned in 1985. It represents a milestone in engineering development of electric power supply to the Australian outback
Division
Marker Type
- EHM: Engineering Heritage Marker (from 2009)