Leading Australian energy infrastructure business, APA Group, today commissioned a third gas-fired power station in Mount Isa, further strengthening the energy security of the North West Minerals Province of Queensland.

The Thomson Power Station in Mount Isa will provide another 18 megawatts of gas-fired power generation into the region, which will continue to ensure there is no unmet demand for businesses and households. A further expansion of the power station will be commissioned in the fourth quarter of FY2021.

“The commissioning of the Thomson Power Station reinforces the security of power in Mount Isa and further underpins the economic activity and jobs for this minerals rich region of Queensland,” APA Group Chief Executive and Managing Director Rob Wheals said.

“APA has proudly invested more than $1 billion in energy assets in the North West Minerals Province, underscoring our commitment to the community.

“The Thomson Power Station investment created about 25 vital construction jobs during the pandemic and two full-time jobs to operate the power station into the future.”

The newly commissioned Thomson Power Station takes APA’s gas-fired generation capacity in the region to 320 megawatts, augmenting supply at a lower emissions intensity than connecting to the National Electricity Market and helping maintain APA’s track record of high supply reliability in the North West Minerals Province of Queensland, despite the challenges of movement restrictions imposed by COVID-19.

APA Group is also assessing the feasibility to deliver up to a further 100 megawatts of renewable power generation in Mount Isa to a number of customers in the region.

“We are proud to be providing our customers and the community with flexible energy solutions,” Mr Wheals said.

“Our Mount Isa investments not only continue to ensure there is no unmet demand in Mount Isa, but they also stack-up without government intervention or support.”

The Thomson Power Station adjoins APA’s Diamantina and Leichhardt Power Stations.