Overview
Collie (Bluewaters) is a 416 MW coal power plant in Western Australia, operated by Griffin Energy. It supplies baseload power to the South West Interconnected System.
Collie (Bluewaters) is a coal-fired power station located near Collie, Western Australia, with a capacity of 416 megawatts. It is owned and operated by Griffin Energy and plays a key role in supplying baseload electricity to the South West Interconnected System (SWIS), the main power grid serving Perth and surrounding regions. The plant uses coal sourced from the nearby Collie Basin, a major coal-producing region in Western Australia. As a coal-fired facility, it operates under Australia's National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (NGER) scheme and state-level environmental regulations. The technology is typical of subcritical coal plants built in the early 2000s, with moderate thermal efficiency. Collie (Bluewaters) contributes to grid stability in a region increasingly integrating renewable energy sources. Its location in a coal-mining area provides economic benefits to the local community, though the plant faces long-term regulatory and market pressures due to Australia's transition toward lower-emission energy generation.
Environmental context
The plant's coal combustion produces CO2, SOx, and NOx emissions, contributing to Australia's greenhouse gas inventory. Its location in the Collie region, a coal-mining hub, means local air quality is influenced by both mining and power generation activities. The facility's age and subcritical technology result in a higher carbon intensity compared to modern supercritical or combined-cycle plants. Proximity to populated areas in the SWIS region necessitates compliance with state emission standards.
Frequently asked questions
Collie (Bluewaters) is located near Collie, Western Australia, approximately 200 kilometers south of Perth.
The plant has a capacity of 416 megawatts, making it a medium-sized coal-fired power station.
The plant is owned and operated by Griffin Energy, an Australian energy company.
Coal power plants in Australia must comply with the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (NGER) scheme and state-based emission limits. The Clean Energy Regulator oversees carbon reporting, while state authorities manage air quality standards.
Collie (Bluewaters) provides baseload power to the South West Interconnected System, supporting grid stability as Australia transitions to higher shares of renewable energy.