In July, CleanCo's Swanbank energy precinct celebrated 50 years since the completion of the original coal-fired power stations –Swanbank A and B – which delivered reliable power and economic opportunity to south east Queensland over five decades.

CleanCo celebrated with a lunch at the site, attended by past and present staff, who enjoyed sharing memories.

Local resident, John Scott, worked at the station between 1969 and 2003. His family has owned neighbouring land since the 1880s. More recently, John was a member of the Community Co-design Panel for the Reimagine Swanbank project. So it was great to have John share some recollections of his time growing up in the area and working at the station.

When it was commissioned in the early 70s, Swanbank was owned by the Southern Electric Authority of Queensland. A and B stations generated a combined 850MW and between them had 10 steam turbines. Their 133 metre smoke stacks were a familiar landmark for locals. Families enjoyed swimming in Swanbank Lake and BBQing by its shores. Local legend has it that sand from the Gold Coast was trucked in to build a beach by the lake!

Swanbank has employed generations of Ipswich families and become part of the social fabric of the city.

Now, as the state powers towards a net zero future, the site is being transformed into a clean energy hub. The Swanbank Clean Energy Hub will feature clean energy technologies, including the highly efficient Swanbank E gas-fired power station, enabling CleanCo to support large commercial and industrial businesses on their decarbonisation pathways.

The clean energy hub will include a 250MW battery with two-hour storage capacity to be built on the site of the old Swanbank B power station. The Queensland Government has locked in $330 million from the Queensland Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Jobs Fund to progress the development of the battery which will be one of the largest in Queensland.

The Swanbank Clean Energy Hub draft masterplan is open to input from the local community, with 30 people from across Ipswich participating in an innovative co-design process to develop the masterplan.

Thanks to everyone who helped celebrate this important milestone!