Bunnerong Power Station
| Company type | Public utility (historical) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Electricity generation |
| Founded | 1924 |
| Defunct | 1975 |
| Headquarters | Matraville, Sydney , Australia |
Area served | New South Wales |
| Products | Electricity |
Number of employees | 1600+ |
Bunnerong Power Station was a coal-powered electricity generation facility located in the south-eastern Sydney suburb of Matraville, New South Wales, Australia. It ceased operations by 1975 and was dismantled in 1987. At its height, it stood as the largest power station in the southern hemisphere, boasting an output capacity of 375 megawatts (MW) derived from eleven turbo-alternators. During its operational peak, it provided up to one-third of the state's electricity demand and remained the dominant power source until the Vales Point Power Station became operational in 1966.
The site, encompassing 117 acres, was chosen in 1924 along Bunnerong Road in Matraville.
Bunnerong 'A' Station - 175 MW
Initially, Bunnerong 'A' was outfitted with eighteen cross drum boilers manufactured by Babcock & Wilcox Ltd (UK), each capable of producing steam at 350 psi and 700 °F with a capacity of 100,000 lb/h. Between 1926 and 1930, six Metropolitan-Vickers two-cylinder turbo-alternators of 25 MW each were installed by the Municipal Council of Sydney's Electricity Department, one of the principal electricity authorities at that time. The first unit commenced operation in January 1929, with the sixth following by January 1930. Electricity generation occurred at 11 kV and was then transformed to 33 kV for transmission purposes. With an aggregate capacity of 150 MW, Bunnerong was recognized as New South Wales' largest power plant. In September 1937, a seventh unit of 25 MW was incorporated, increasing total capacity to 175 MW. This segment became known as Bunnerong 'A' Station.
Bunnerong 'B' Station - 200 MW
Bunnerong 'B' Station entered service in 1939 featuring a three-stage turbo-alternator rated at 50 MW (Unit Number 8) supplied by C.A. Parsons and Company. A subsequent 50 MW turbine (Unit Number 9) was added in 1941, augmenting Bunnerong's total output to 275 MW. The 'B' Boilerhouse contained four pulverized fuel boilers from Babcock & Wilcox, each delivering steam at a rate of 300,000 lbs/hr at 600 psi. In 1949, two oil-fired Velox boilers from Gibson, Battle & Co Pty Ltd were installed; these units generated steam at 165,000 lbs/hr each under conditions of 600 psi and temperatures reaching 825°F. These Velox boilers supplied steam to both 'A' and 'B' sections.
While 'A' Station experienced reduced efficiency due to coal shortages following mechanization in mining operations, 'B' Station was engineered to utilize lower-grade coal but frequently received higher quality coal originally designated for 'A'. To mitigate coal supply issues, supplementary oil burners were fitted on all boilers in 1946.
Further expansion saw a third and fourth Parsons turbo-alternator rated at 50 MW each commissioned in 1947 and shortly thereafter, supported by four pulverized fuel boilers built by Simon-Carves, each capable of producing steam at a rate of 300,000 lbs/hr. Upon completion of 'B' Station, the overall continuous capacity reached 375 MW, establishing Bunnerong as the largest power station across the southern hemisphere; during overload testing in 1958 it achieved a peak output of 382 MW.
At full operational capacity, the site employed over 1,600 personnel. Nevertheless, frequent industrial disputes related to working conditions often resulted in prolonged reductions in power generation.
Bunnerong Railway Branch
A privately operated railway line linked the power station with Botany Goods Yard under council management. This railway continued under the Electricity Commission’s control and included shunting services to the Boral facility. On November 19, 1966, a fatal incident occurred when a train lost control on a steep siding grade and ran away.
Electricity Commission of New South Wales
Established in 1950, the Electricity Commission of New South Wales took over the generating facilities of Sydney County Council, including Bunnerong and Pyrmont, in 1952.
Closure and Demolition
After newer power plants were brought online, Bunnerong 'A' was shut down by 1973, while the 'B' Station continued to operate solely as an emergency backup until it was fully retired in 1975. The process of dismantling equipment started in 1978 and was largely finished by 1981. On-site peak load gas turbines were active from 1982 until 1984, after which demolition commenced. The 112-metre tall concrete emission stack of Bunnerong 'B' was taken down in December 1986, with the majority of both 'A' and 'B' Station buildings demolished by June 1987. Controlled Demolition Incorporated carried out most of the demolition work. The substantial switch house constructed in 1926 remained standing until its removal in March 1994. Presently, only minimal traces of the power station remain.