Rain Delays Delivery of Transformer to NRG
The recent heavy rain may have been a blessing for local Gladstone residents but it has also delayed the delivery of a major piece of equipment for the Gladstone Power Station.The new transformer is part of an increased focus at Gladstone Power Station on the long term sustainability of the station. It represents a significant investment by the station’s owners.
NRG Electrical Projects Specialist, Graham Long said the delivery of a new generator transformer had been held up due to the inclement conditions. The 168 ton transformer has been unable to make the final leg of its journey from Brisbane due to an unsealed section of road near the power station being water affected.
“At the moment the transformer has been parked off the Dawson Highway near Beecher. We will be monitoring the conditions of our Red Rover Road entrance and roadways and once safe to proceed the Transformer will be brought onto site and placed in a purpose built storage bay.”
“NRG commissioned Areva T&D in Brisbane to design and construct the generator transformer as an insurance spare for either Unit 5 or Unit 6 at the power station. The transformer took 12 months to construct and should enable the down time due to a failure to be reduced from 14 months to a month,” Graham said.
AREVA have sub-contracted the transport and positioning of the Transformer to North Qld Heavy Haulage and Eagle Cranes and Rigging respectively. The attached picture shows the Transformer on a "Drake" 16 Axel Steerable Trailer with three prime movers total combined weight of 340 Tons on route to Gladstone Power Station.
The journey from Brisbane to Gladstone took the best part of four days going via Kilcoy, Goomeri, Ban Ban Springs and back onto the Bruce Highway at Booyal.