Owner: CleanCo Queensland Limited
Status:
Technology Type: Hydro - Run of River
Fuel Type: Hydro - Water
DUID: BARRON-2
Capacity: 0 MW
Full Commercial Use Date:
Expected Closure Year:
Closure Date:
29 May 2026 04:00 → 30 May 2026 04:00 AEST · data through 30 May 2026, 04:00
Dispatch target (cleared) vs availability — 5‑minute intervals. QLD1 regional price (RRP) on right axis.
Estimated $ per interval using regional RRP and MLF effective on each day.
UNIT_SOLUTION (5‑minute intervals). Intervention intervals excluded.dispatch_price RRP matched by settlement time and NEM region (from generator registry).| Effective from | MLF |
|---|---|
| 2024-07-01 | 0.9556 |
| 2025-07-01 | 0.9569 |
| Capex total (greenfield) | $4.11M |
|---|---|
| Capex refurbishment | — |
| Capex / MW | $62,273 |
| Capex / MWh storage | — |
| Fixed OPEX (annual) | $1.26M |
| Fixed OPEX / MW-yr | $36,000 |
| Variable OPEX / MWh | $0.00 |
| Fuel cost / GJ | $0.00 |
| Heat rate GJ/MWh | — |
All monetary values shown in 2026 real AUD (CPI-escalated). Confidence: medium · Status: ai estimated · Capex basis: reported · AI checked 04 Jun 2026
Notes: Barron Gorge is a 66 MW site with two 33 MW generators, while the supplied DUID BARRON-2 capacity is 35 MW. Site-level original construction cost is reported as £2.055 million expected cost for construction beginning 6 October 1960; it has been converted to A$4.11 million at the Australian decimal conversion rate of £1 = A$2 and divided by the current 66 MW site capacity for capex_per_mw. This is an old expected-construction figure from a secondary historical source and may not equal final outturn cost. A more useful modern capital datapoint is the reported A$28 million Stanwell refurbishment/upgrade program completed by 2011 that extended major component life by 40 years. Fixed O&M is not generator-specific: it is an estimate using Entura's AEMO hydropower O&M method, base A$16,000/MW/year in 2018 AUD, multiplied by 1.5 for station age over 50 years and 1.5 for station capacity under 100 MW, giving A$36,000/MW/year. Annual fixed opex applies that rate to the supplied 35 MW DUID capacity, not the 66 MW site. Variable O&M is set to zero because Entura recommends hydropower O&M be captured as fixed O&M rather than VOM. Heat rate and thermal efficiency are not applicable for non-combustion run-of-river hydro. No closure date was found; CleanCo is instead undertaking recovery, valve and PLC works following Cyclone Jasper impacts, with Kuranda Weir recovery works expected through the 2026 dry season.
Model: gpt-5.5 · Reasoning: medium · Fetched 04 Jun 2026 08:36 · ID: resp_050a502baea86ed2006a20ac062b1881938c5fd7a79996c468
{
"generator_identity": {
"site_name": "Barron Gorge",
"duid": "BARRON-2",
"owner": "CleanCo Queensland Limited",
"region": "QLD",
"technology_type": "Hydro - Run of River",
"fuel_type": "Hydro - Water"
},
"financial_profile": {
"generator_type_normalised": "hydro",
"capex_total_aud": 4110000,
"capex_year": 1960,
"capex_basis": "reported",
"capex_per_mw_aud": 62272.73,
"capex_per_mwh_aud": null,
"fixed_opex_annual_aud": 1260000,
"fixed_opex_per_mw_year_aud": 36000,
"variable_opex_per_mwh_aud": 0,
"fuel_cost_per_gj_aud": 0,
"fuel_contract_notes": "No combustible fuel contract identified. Barron Gorge is run-of-river hydro using natural inflows from the Barron River and, if required, water from Tinaroo Falls Dam. Fuel cost is treated as zero for dispatch/fuel-cost purposes; this excludes any water access, environmental compliance, staffing, insurance, network, or maintenance costs that may be embedded elsewhere in O&M.",
"heat_rate_gj_per_mwh": null,
"efficiency_pct": null,
"emissions_intensity_tco2_mwh": 0,
"asset_life_years": 40,
"discount_rate_pct": null,
"source_confidence": "medium",
"data_status": "partially_verified",
"notes": "Barron Gorge is a 66 MW site with two 33 MW generators, while the supplied DUID BARRON-2 capacity is 35 MW. Site-level original construction cost is reported as £2.055 million expected cost for construction beginning 6 October 1960; it has been converted to A$4.11 million at the Australian decimal conversion rate of £1 = A$2 and divided by the current 66 MW site capacity for capex_per_mw. This is an old expected-construction figure from a secondary historical source and may not equal final outturn cost. A more useful modern capital datapoint is the reported A$28 million Stanwell refurbishment/upgrade program completed by 2011 that extended major component life by 40 years. Fixed O&M is not generator-specific: it is an estimate using Entura's AEMO hydropower O&M method, base A$16,000/MW/year in 2018 AUD, multiplied by 1.5 for station age over 50 years and 1.5 for station capacity under 100 MW, giving A$36,000/MW/year. Annual fixed opex applies that rate to the supplied 35 MW DUID capacity, not the 66 MW site. Variable O&M is set to zero because Entura recommends hydropower O&M be captured as fixed O&M rather than VOM. Heat rate and thermal efficiency are not applicable for non-combustion run-of-river hydro. No closure date was found; CleanCo is instead undertaking recovery, valve and PLC works following Cyclone Jasper impacts, with Kuranda Weir recovery works expected through the 2026 dry season."
},
"sources": [
{
"field_name": "technology_type, capacity, commissioned, operating_description",
"value_text": "Run-of-river hydro; 66MW; commissioned 1963; two 33MW generators; uses natural inflows from the Barron River and if required water from Tinaroo Falls Dam.",
"value_numeric": 66,
"unit": "MW",
"source_url": "https://cleancoqueensland.com.au/portfolio/owned-and-operated/barrongorgehydropowerstation/",
"source_title": "Barron Gorge Power Station",
"publisher": "CleanCo Queensland",
"published_date": null,
"confidence": "high",
"raw_excerpt": "Technology: Run-of-river hydro; Capacity: 66MW; Commissioned: 1963. The power station uses natural water inflows from the Barron River and if required, more water from Tinaroo Falls Dam to generate electricity. The water is captured at the Kuranda Weir, where it is diverted underground to the station’s two 33MW generators.",
"ai_summary": "Official owner source confirms Barron Gorge is a 66 MW run-of-river hydro station commissioned in 1963, with two 33 MW units and water supplied by Barron River inflows and occasionally Tinaroo Falls Dam."
},
{
"field_name": "capex_total_aud, capex_year, capex_per_mw_aud",
"value_text": "Expected construction cost reported as £2,055,000 for construction beginning 6 October 1960; converted to A$4,110,000 at £1=A$2; capex_per_mw calculated on 66 MW site capacity.",
"value_numeric": 4110000,
"unit": "AUD",
"source_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barron_Gorge_Hydroelectric_Power_Station",
"source_title": "Barron Gorge Hydroelectric Power Station",
"publisher": "Wikipedia, citing Col Dunn, The History of Electricity in Queensland",
"published_date": null,
"confidence": "low",
"raw_excerpt": "Construction of the new power station began on 6 October 1960 and it was expected to cost £2,055,000.",
"ai_summary": "Only a secondary historical source was found for original construction cost. The reported expected cost was converted to nominal AUD using the Australian pound-to-dollar decimal conversion rate."
},
{
"field_name": "major_refurbishment_capex, asset_life_years",
"value_text": "A$28 million refurbishment completed by Stanwell in 2011 extended the power station's life by 40 years.",
"value_numeric": 28000000,
"unit": "AUD",
"source_url": "https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/76472",
"source_title": "FNQ renewable energy producer gets five-year overhaul",
"publisher": "Queensland Government Ministerial Media Statements",
"published_date": "2015-10-15",
"confidence": "high",
"raw_excerpt": "A $28 million refurbishment of the Barron Gorge Hydro was completed by the managers, Stanwell, in 2011 which extended the power station’s life by 40 years.",
"ai_summary": "Queensland Government source confirms a modern A$28 million refurbishment and 40-year life extension, completed in 2011."
},
{
"field_name": "major_refurbishment_capex, asset_life_years, remote_operation",
"value_text": "A$28 million upgrade extended life of some major components for another 40 years and enabled remote operation if required.",
"value_numeric": 28000000,
"unit": "AUD",
"source_url": "https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/43207",
"source_title": "Projects boost sustainable remote power generation",
"publisher": "Queensland Government Ministerial Media Statements",
"published_date": "2006-08-01",
"confidence": "high",
"raw_excerpt": "The $28 million upgrade has extended the life of some major components of the facility for another 40 years and enables the power station to be operated remotely, if required.",
"ai_summary": "Earlier Queensland Government announcement supports the same A$28 million upgrade and 40-year major-component life extension."
},
{
"field_name": "fixed_opex_per_mw_year_aud, fixed_opex_annual_aud",
"value_text": "Default estimate: Entura recommends A$16,000/MW/year FOM for hydropower, adjusted by 1.5 for over-50-year-old stations and 1.5 for under-100MW stations, giving A$36,000/MW/year; multiplied by supplied 35 MW DUID capacity gives A$1.26 million/year.",
"value_numeric": 36000,
"unit": "AUD/MW/year",
"source_url": "https://www.aemo.com.au/-/media/files/electricity/nem/planning_and_forecasting/inputs-assumptions-methodologies/2019/report-pumped-hydro-cost-modelling.pdf?rev=eb00186be80c4c12902f3077c6030588&sc_lang=en",
"source_title": "Pumped Hydro Cost Modelling",
"publisher": "Entura for TasNetworks / AEMO inputs context",
"published_date": "2018-12-07",
"confidence": "medium",
"raw_excerpt": "FOM should be taken as $16,000/MW/yr... For stations over 50 years old, a factor of 1.5 should be applied... For stations with installed capacity less than 100MW, a factor of 1.5 should be applied.",
"ai_summary": "No Barron Gorge-specific O&M cost disclosure was found. Entura's AEMO-context hydropower O&M method provides a defensible technology default; Barron Gorge is over 50 years old and below 100 MW, so the estimated FOM rate is A$36,000/MW/year in 2018 AUD."
},
{
"field_name": "variable_opex_per_mwh_aud",
"value_text": "Default estimate: variable O&M set to zero because hydropower O&M should be captured as fixed O&M, not VOM.",
"value_numeric": 0,
"unit": "AUD/MWh",
"source_url": "https://www.aemo.com.au/-/media/files/electricity/nem/planning_and_forecasting/inputs-assumptions-methodologies/2019/report-pumped-hydro-cost-modelling.pdf?rev=eb00186be80c4c12902f3077c6030588&sc_lang=en",
"source_title": "Pumped Hydro Cost Modelling",
"publisher": "Entura for TasNetworks / AEMO inputs context",
"published_date": "2018-12-07",
"confidence": "medium",
"raw_excerpt": "VOM is not meaningful for hydropower projects... As such, FOM only should be used... hydropower operation and maintenance costs are captured as Fixed Operation and Maintenance costs only, rather than assigning some portion of these costs to Variable Operation and Maintenance.",
"ai_summary": "Entura recommends no separate VOM for hydropower; this supports setting variable opex to zero where FOM is used to capture O&M."
},
{
"field_name": "fuel_cost_per_gj_aud, fuel_contract_notes",
"value_text": "Hydro water fuel; no combustible fuel; fuel cost assumed zero for dispatch/fuel-cost purposes.",
"value_numeric": 0,
"unit": "AUD/GJ",
"source_url": "https://cleancoqueensland.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/FOR-WEB-Barron-Gorge-Factsheet-FINAL-VERSION-MAR-2025.pdf",
"source_title": "Barron Gorge Factsheet - Final Version March 2025",
"publisher": "CleanCo Queensland",
"published_date": "2025-03",
"confidence": "high",
"raw_excerpt": "As a run-of-river hydro, the power station uses natural water inflows from the Barron River and if required, more water from Tinaroo Falls Dam to generate electricity. Water is captured at the Kuranda Weir, where it is diverted underground to the station’s two 33MW generators.",
"ai_summary": "Owner factsheet confirms the energy source is water inflow, supporting no fossil fuel cost or fuel supply contract assumption."
},
{
"field_name": "emissions_intensity_tco2_mwh",
"value_text": "Direct operational emissions intensity assumed zero for hydro generation at the meter.",
"value_numeric": 0,
"unit": "tCO2/MWh",
"source_url": "https://gridiq.com.au/insights/australia-generation-emissions-fy2024-25",
"source_title": "Australia’s highest- and lowest-intensity power stations, FY2024-25",
"publisher": "gridIQ, using Clean Energy Regulator NGER publication data",
"published_date": "2026-05",
"confidence": "medium",
"raw_excerpt": "Wind, solar, and hydro report essentially zero scope 1 intensity at the meter. Source: Clean Energy Regulator NGER publication, effective February 2026 (FY2024-25 reporting period).",
"ai_summary": "A CER-derived emissions analysis indicates hydro facilities report essentially zero Scope 1 intensity at the meter. This is not Barron-specific but is appropriate for direct operational emissions of run-of-river hydro."
},
{
"field_name": "major_refurbishment_or_closure_notes",
"value_text": "Cyclone Jasper damaged Kuranda Weir in December 2023 and rendered Barron Gorge inoperable; recovery works through Phases A, B and C, with final infrastructure works to follow during 2026 dry season; FY25 priority capital projects included major valve replacement and PLC upgrade; temporary outage in early 2025 returned to service on 7 May 2025.",
"value_numeric": null,
"unit": null,
"source_url": "https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Tabled-Papers/docs/5825T1385/5825t1385.pdf",
"source_title": "CleanCo Queensland Annual Report 2025",
"publisher": "CleanCo Queensland / Queensland Parliament tabled paper",
"published_date": "2025",
"confidence": "high",
"raw_excerpt": "Following the impacts of ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper in December 2023... significant damage to critical infrastructure at the Kuranda Weir... Barron Gorge Power Station was rendered inoperable... 100% delivery of priority capital projects, including... Barron Gorge major valve replacement and PLC upgrade... The station returned to service on 7 May 2025.",
"ai_summary": "Latest annual report found no closure plan, but documents major recovery and sustaining capital works following Cyclone Jasper, including valve/PLC works and Kuranda Weir remediation continuing into 2026."
},
{
"field_name": "asset_life_years, refurbishment_interval_default",
"value_text": "Generic hydro/pumped-hydro design life 80-100 years; electro-mechanical major refurbishment usually every 25-30 years.",
"value_numeric": 80,
"unit": "years",
"source_url": "https://aemo.com.au/-/media/files/major-publications/isp/2025/aurecon-2024-energy-technology-costs-and-technical-parameter-review.pdf?la=en",
"source_title": "2024 Energy Technology Cost and Parameters Review",
"publisher": "Aurecon for AEMO",
"published_date": "2024-12-06",
"confidence": "medium",
"raw_excerpt": "Design Life Years 80-100... Electro-mechanical elements are usually designed for some 40-50 years whilst civil infrastructure is designed for 100 years. Major refurbishment of Electro-mechanical elements usually occurs at 25-30 intervals.",
"ai_summary": "AEMO/Aurecon generic hydro life assumptions support long physical life and periodic refurbishment, consistent with Barron Gorge's 2011 life-extension refurbishment."
}
],
"warnings": [
"Original construction capex is based on a secondary historical source and was an expected cost, not a confirmed final outturn cost.",
"Capex is site-level for the 66 MW Barron Gorge station; BARRON-2 is one DUID and the user-supplied 35 MW DUID capacity does not match the owner's two-by-33 MW site description.",
"Fixed O&M and variable O&M are not Barron-specific disclosures; they are default estimates from Entura/AEMO-context hydropower assumptions in 2018 AUD and have not been escalated to 2026 dollars.",
"Variable O&M is set to zero only because the selected hydropower O&M methodology consolidates O&M into fixed O&M; it does not mean there are no maintenance costs.",
"Fuel cost is treated as zero for hydro water input; this does not account for any water licence, environmental, compliance, or shared dam/weir costs that may be incurred by the owner.",
"No generator-specific heat-rate or thermal-efficiency value is applicable for run-of-river hydro.",
"No closure date was found in searched owner, government, or AEMO-context sources."
]
}
{
"meta": {
"model": "gpt-5.5",
"reasoning_effort": "medium",
"response_id": "resp_050a502baea86ed2006a20ac062b1881938c5fd7a79996c468",
"fetched_at": "2026-06-04T08:36:40+10:00"
},
"raw_text": "{\"generator_identity\":{\"site_name\":\"Barron Gorge\",\"duid\":\"BARRON-2\",\"owner\":\"CleanCo Queensland Limited\",\"region\":\"QLD\",\"technology_type\":\"Hydro - Run of River\",\"fuel_type\":\"Hydro - Water\"},\"financial_profile\":{\"generator_type_normalised\":\"hydro\",\"capex_total_aud\":4110000,\"capex_year\":1960,\"capex_basis\":\"reported\",\"capex_per_mw_aud\":62272.73,\"capex_per_mwh_aud\":null,\"fixed_opex_annual_aud\":1260000,\"fixed_opex_per_mw_year_aud\":36000,\"variable_opex_per_mwh_aud\":0,\"fuel_cost_per_gj_aud\":0,\"fuel_contract_notes\":\"No combustible fuel contract identified. Barron Gorge is run-of-river hydro using natural inflows from the Barron River and, if required, water from Tinaroo Falls Dam. Fuel cost is treated as zero for dispatch/fuel-cost purposes; this excludes any water access, environmental compliance, staffing, insurance, network, or maintenance costs that may be embedded elsewhere in O&M.\",\"heat_rate_gj_per_mwh\":null,\"efficiency_pct\":null,\"emissions_intensity_tco2_mwh\":0,\"asset_life_years\":40,\"discount_rate_pct\":null,\"source_confidence\":\"medium\",\"data_status\":\"partially_verified\",\"notes\":\"Barron Gorge is a 66 MW site with two 33 MW generators, while the supplied DUID BARRON-2 capacity is 35 MW. Site-level original construction cost is reported as £2.055 million expected cost for construction beginning 6 October 1960; it has been converted to A$4.11 million at the Australian decimal conversion rate of £1 = A$2 and divided by the current 66 MW site capacity for capex_per_mw. This is an old expected-construction figure from a secondary historical source and may not equal final outturn cost. A more useful modern capital datapoint is the reported A$28 million Stanwell refurbishment/upgrade program completed by 2011 that extended major component life by 40 years. Fixed O&M is not generator-specific: it is an estimate using Entura's AEMO hydropower O&M method, base A$16,000/MW/year in 2018 AUD, multiplied by 1.5 for station age over 50 years and 1.5 for station capacity under 100 MW, giving A$36,000/MW/year. Annual fixed opex applies that rate to the supplied 35 MW DUID capacity, not the 66 MW site. Variable O&M is set to zero because Entura recommends hydropower O&M be captured as fixed O&M rather than VOM. Heat rate and thermal efficiency are not applicable for non-combustion run-of-river hydro. No closure date was found; CleanCo is instead undertaking recovery, valve and PLC works following Cyclone Jasper impacts, with Kuranda Weir recovery works expected through the 2026 dry season.\"},\"sources\":[{\"field_name\":\"technology_type, capacity, commissioned, operating_description\",\"value_text\":\"Run-of-river hydro; 66MW; commissioned 1963; two 33MW generators; uses natural inflows from the Barron River and if required water from Tinaroo Falls Dam.\",\"value_numeric\":66,\"unit\":\"MW\",\"source_url\":\"https://cleancoqueensland.com.au/portfolio/owned-and-operated/barrongorgehydropowerstation/\",\"source_title\":\"Barron Gorge Power Station\",\"publisher\":\"CleanCo Queensland\",\"published_date\":null,\"confidence\":\"high\",\"raw_excerpt\":\"Technology: Run-of-river hydro; Capacity: 66MW; Commissioned: 1963. The power station uses natural water inflows from the Barron River and if required, more water from Tinaroo Falls Dam to generate electricity. The water is captured at the Kuranda Weir, where it is diverted underground to the station’s two 33MW generators.\",\"ai_summary\":\"Official owner source confirms Barron Gorge is a 66 MW run-of-river hydro station commissioned in 1963, with two 33 MW units and water supplied by Barron River inflows and occasionally Tinaroo Falls Dam.\"},{\"field_name\":\"capex_total_aud, capex_year, capex_per_mw_aud\",\"value_text\":\"Expected construction cost reported as £2,055,000 for construction beginning 6 October 1960; converted to A$4,110,000 at £1=A$2; capex_per_mw calculated on 66 MW site capacity.\",\"value_numeric\":4110000,\"unit\":\"AUD\",\"source_url\":\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barron_Gorge_Hydroelectric_Power_Station\",\"source_title\":\"Barron Gorge Hydroelectric Power Station\",\"publisher\":\"Wikipedia, citing Col Dunn, The History of Electricity in Queensland\",\"published_date\":null,\"confidence\":\"low\",\"raw_excerpt\":\"Construction of the new power station began on 6 October 1960 and it was expected to cost £2,055,000.\",\"ai_summary\":\"Only a secondary historical source was found for original construction cost. The reported expected cost was converted to nominal AUD using the Australian pound-to-dollar decimal conversion rate.\"},{\"field_name\":\"major_refurbishment_capex, asset_life_years\",\"value_text\":\"A$28 million refurbishment completed by Stanwell in 2011 extended the power station's life by 40 years.\",\"value_numeric\":28000000,\"unit\":\"AUD\",\"source_url\":\"https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/76472\",\"source_title\":\"FNQ renewable energy producer gets five-year overhaul\",\"publisher\":\"Queensland Government Ministerial Media Statements\",\"published_date\":\"2015-10-15\",\"confidence\":\"high\",\"raw_excerpt\":\"A $28 million refurbishment of the Barron Gorge Hydro was completed by the managers, Stanwell, in 2011 which extended the power station’s life by 40 years.\",\"ai_summary\":\"Queensland Government source confirms a modern A$28 million refurbishment and 40-year life extension, completed in 2011.\"},{\"field_name\":\"major_refurbishment_capex, asset_life_years, remote_operation\",\"value_text\":\"A$28 million upgrade extended life of some major components for another 40 years and enabled remote operation if required.\",\"value_numeric\":28000000,\"unit\":\"AUD\",\"source_url\":\"https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/43207\",\"source_title\":\"Projects boost sustainable remote power generation\",\"publisher\":\"Queensland Government Ministerial Media Statements\",\"published_date\":\"2006-08-01\",\"confidence\":\"high\",\"raw_excerpt\":\"The $28 million upgrade has extended the life of some major components of the facility for another 40 years and enables the power station to be operated remotely, if required.\",\"ai_summary\":\"Earlier Queensland Government announcement supports the same A$28 million upgrade and 40-year major-component life extension.\"},{\"field_name\":\"fixed_opex_per_mw_year_aud, fixed_opex_annual_aud\",\"value_text\":\"Default estimate: Entura recommends A$16,000/MW/year FOM for hydropower, adjusted by 1.5 for over-50-year-old stations and 1.5 for under-100MW stations, giving A$36,000/MW/year; multiplied by supplied 35 MW DUID capacity gives A$1.26 million/year.\",\"value_numeric\":36000,\"unit\":\"AUD/MW/year\",\"source_url\":\"https://www.aemo.com.au/-/media/files/electricity/nem/planning_and_forecasting/inputs-assumptions-methodologies/2019/report-pumped-hydro-cost-modelling.pdf?rev=eb00186be80c4c12902f3077c6030588&sc_lang=en\",\"source_title\":\"Pumped Hydro Cost Modelling\",\"publisher\":\"Entura for TasNetworks / AEMO inputs context\",\"published_date\":\"2018-12-07\",\"confidence\":\"medium\",\"raw_excerpt\":\"FOM should be taken as $16,000/MW/yr... For stations over 50 years old, a factor of 1.5 should be applied... For stations with installed capacity less than 100MW, a factor of 1.5 should be applied.\",\"ai_summary\":\"No Barron Gorge-specific O&M cost disclosure was found. Entura's AEMO-context hydropower O&M method provides a defensible technology default; Barron Gorge is over 50 years old and below 100 MW, so the estimated FOM rate is A$36,000/MW/year in 2018 AUD.\"},{\"field_name\":\"variable_opex_per_mwh_aud\",\"value_text\":\"Default estimate: variable O&M set to zero because hydropower O&M should be captured as fixed O&M, not VOM.\",\"value_numeric\":0,\"unit\":\"AUD/MWh\",\"source_url\":\"https://www.aemo.com.au/-/media/files/electricity/nem/planning_and_forecasting/inputs-assumptions-methodologies/2019/report-pumped-hydro-cost-modelling.pdf?rev=eb00186be80c4c12902f3077c6030588&sc_lang=en\",\"source_title\":\"Pumped Hydro Cost Modelling\",\"publisher\":\"Entura for TasNetworks / AEMO inputs context\",\"published_date\":\"2018-12-07\",\"confidence\":\"medium\",\"raw_excerpt\":\"VOM is not meaningful for hydropower projects... As such, FOM only should be used... hydropower operation and maintenance costs are captured as Fixed Operation and Maintenance costs only, rather than assigning some portion of these costs to Variable Operation and Maintenance.\",\"ai_summary\":\"Entura recommends no separate VOM for hydropower; this supports setting variable opex to zero where FOM is used to capture O&M.\"},{\"field_name\":\"fuel_cost_per_gj_aud, fuel_contract_notes\",\"value_text\":\"Hydro water fuel; no combustible fuel; fuel cost assumed zero for dispatch/fuel-cost purposes.\",\"value_numeric\":0,\"unit\":\"AUD/GJ\",\"source_url\":\"https://cleancoqueensland.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/FOR-WEB-Barron-Gorge-Factsheet-FINAL-VERSION-MAR-2025.pdf\",\"source_title\":\"Barron Gorge Factsheet - Final Version March 2025\",\"publisher\":\"CleanCo Queensland\",\"published_date\":\"2025-03\",\"confidence\":\"high\",\"raw_excerpt\":\"As a run-of-river hydro, the power station uses natural water inflows from the Barron River and if required, more water from Tinaroo Falls Dam to generate electricity. Water is captured at the Kuranda Weir, where it is diverted underground to the station’s two 33MW generators.\",\"ai_summary\":\"Owner factsheet confirms the energy source is water inflow, supporting no fossil fuel cost or fuel supply contract assumption.\"},{\"field_name\":\"emissions_intensity_tco2_mwh\",\"value_text\":\"Direct operational emissions intensity assumed zero for hydro generation at the meter.\",\"value_numeric\":0,\"unit\":\"tCO2/MWh\",\"source_url\":\"https://gridiq.com.au/insights/australia-generation-emissions-fy2024-25\",\"source_title\":\"Australia’s highest- and lowest-intensity power stations, FY2024-25\",\"publisher\":\"gridIQ, using Clean Energy Regulator NGER publication data\",\"published_date\":\"2026-05\",\"confidence\":\"medium\",\"raw_excerpt\":\"Wind, solar, and hydro report essentially zero scope 1 intensity at the meter. Source: Clean Energy Regulator NGER publication, effective February 2026 (FY2024-25 reporting period).\",\"ai_summary\":\"A CER-derived emissions analysis indicates hydro facilities report essentially zero Scope 1 intensity at the meter. This is not Barron-specific but is appropriate for direct operational emissions of run-of-river hydro.\"},{\"field_name\":\"major_refurbishment_or_closure_notes\",\"value_text\":\"Cyclone Jasper damaged Kuranda Weir in December 2023 and rendered Barron Gorge inoperable; recovery works through Phases A, B and C, with final infrastructure works to follow during 2026 dry season; FY25 priority capital projects included major valve replacement and PLC upgrade; temporary outage in early 2025 returned to service on 7 May 2025.\",\"value_numeric\":null,\"unit\":null,\"source_url\":\"https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Tabled-Papers/docs/5825T1385/5825t1385.pdf\",\"source_title\":\"CleanCo Queensland Annual Report 2025\",\"publisher\":\"CleanCo Queensland / Queensland Parliament tabled paper\",\"published_date\":\"2025\",\"confidence\":\"high\",\"raw_excerpt\":\"Following the impacts of ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper in December 2023... significant damage to critical infrastructure at the Kuranda Weir... Barron Gorge Power Station was rendered inoperable... 100% delivery of priority capital projects, including... Barron Gorge major valve replacement and PLC upgrade... The station returned to service on 7 May 2025.\",\"ai_summary\":\"Latest annual report found no closure plan, but documents major recovery and sustaining capital works following Cyclone Jasper, including valve/PLC works and Kuranda Weir remediation continuing into 2026.\"},{\"field_name\":\"asset_life_years, refurbishment_interval_default\",\"value_text\":\"Generic hydro/pumped-hydro design life 80-100 years; electro-mechanical major refurbishment usually every 25-30 years.\",\"value_numeric\":80,\"unit\":\"years\",\"source_url\":\"https://aemo.com.au/-/media/files/major-publications/isp/2025/aurecon-2024-energy-technology-costs-and-technical-parameter-review.pdf?la=en\",\"source_title\":\"2024 Energy Technology Cost and Parameters Review\",\"publisher\":\"Aurecon for AEMO\",\"published_date\":\"2024-12-06\",\"confidence\":\"medium\",\"raw_excerpt\":\"Design Life Years 80-100... Electro-mechanical elements are usually designed for some 40-50 years whilst civil infrastructure is designed for 100 years. Major refurbishment of Electro-mechanical elements usually occurs at 25-30 intervals.\",\"ai_summary\":\"AEMO/Aurecon generic hydro life assumptions support long physical life and periodic refurbishment, consistent with Barron Gorge's 2011 life-extension refurbishment.\"}],\"warnings\":[\"Original construction capex is based on a secondary historical source and was an expected cost, not a confirmed final outturn cost.\",\"Capex is site-level for the 66 MW Barron Gorge station; BARRON-2 is one DUID and the user-supplied 35 MW DUID capacity does not match the owner's two-by-33 MW site description.\",\"Fixed O&M and variable O&M are not Barron-specific disclosures; they are default estimates from Entura/AEMO-context hydropower assumptions in 2018 AUD and have not been escalated to 2026 dollars.\",\"Variable O&M is set to zero only because the selected hydropower O&M methodology consolidates O&M into fixed O&M; it does not mean there are no maintenance costs.\",\"Fuel cost is treated as zero for hydro water input; this does not account for any water licence, environmental, compliance, or shared dam/weir costs that may be incurred by the owner.\",\"No generator-specific heat-rate or thermal-efficiency value is applicable for run-of-river hydro.\",\"No closure date was found in searched owner, government, or AEMO-context sources.\"]}",
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"text": "{\"generator_identity\":{\"site_name\":\"Barron Gorge\",\"duid\":\"BARRON-2\",\"owner\":\"CleanCo Queensland Limited\",\"region\":\"QLD\",\"technology_type\":\"Hydro - Run of River\",\"fuel_type\":\"Hydro - Water\"},\"financial_profile\":{\"generator_type_normalised\":\"hydro\",\"capex_total_aud\":4110000,\"capex_year\":1960,\"capex_basis\":\"reported\",\"capex_per_mw_aud\":62272.73,\"capex_per_mwh_aud\":null,\"fixed_opex_annual_aud\":1260000,\"fixed_opex_per_mw_year_aud\":36000,\"variable_opex_per_mwh_aud\":0,\"fuel_cost_per_gj_aud\":0,\"fuel_contract_notes\":\"No combustible fuel contract identified. Barron Gorge is run-of-river hydro using natural inflows from the Barron River and, if required, water from Tinaroo Falls Dam. Fuel cost is treated as zero for dispatch/fuel-cost purposes; this excludes any water access, environmental compliance, staffing, insurance, network, or maintenance costs that may be embedded elsewhere in O&M.\",\"heat_rate_gj_per_mwh\":null,\"efficiency_pct\":null,\"emissions_intensity_tco2_mwh\":0,\"asset_life_years\":40,\"discount_rate_pct\":null,\"source_confidence\":\"medium\",\"data_status\":\"partially_verified\",\"notes\":\"Barron Gorge is a 66 MW site with two 33 MW generators, while the supplied DUID BARRON-2 capacity is 35 MW. Site-level original construction cost is reported as £2.055 million expected cost for construction beginning 6 October 1960; it has been converted to A$4.11 million at the Australian decimal conversion rate of £1 = A$2 and divided by the current 66 MW site capacity for capex_per_mw. This is an old expected-construction figure from a secondary historical source and may not equal final outturn cost. A more useful modern capital datapoint is the reported A$28 million Stanwell refurbishment/upgrade program completed by 2011 that extended major component life by 40 years. Fixed O&M is not generator-specific: it is an estimate using Entura's AEMO hydropower O&M method, base A$16,000/MW/year in 2018 AUD, multiplied by 1.5 for station age over 50 years and 1.5 for station capacity under 100 MW, giving A$36,000/MW/year. Annual fixed opex applies that rate to the supplied 35 MW DUID capacity, not the 66 MW site. Variable O&M is set to zero because Entura recommends hydropower O&M be captured as fixed O&M rather than VOM. Heat rate and thermal efficiency are not applicable for non-combustion run-of-river hydro. No closure date was found; CleanCo is instead undertaking recovery, valve and PLC works following Cyclone Jasper impacts, with Kuranda Weir recovery works expected through the 2026 dry season.\"},\"sources\":[{\"field_name\":\"technology_type, capacity, commissioned, operating_description\",\"value_text\":\"Run-of-river hydro; 66MW; commissioned 1963; two 33MW generators; uses natural inflows from the Barron River and if required water from Tinaroo Falls Dam.\",\"value_numeric\":66,\"unit\":\"MW\",\"source_url\":\"https://cleancoqueensland.com.au/portfolio/owned-and-operated/barrongorgehydropowerstation/\",\"source_title\":\"Barron Gorge Power Station\",\"publisher\":\"CleanCo Queensland\",\"published_date\":null,\"confidence\":\"high\",\"raw_excerpt\":\"Technology: Run-of-river hydro; Capacity: 66MW; Commissioned: 1963. The power station uses natural water inflows from the Barron River and if required, more water from Tinaroo Falls Dam to generate electricity. The water is captured at the Kuranda Weir, where it is diverted underground to the station’s two 33MW generators.\",\"ai_summary\":\"Official owner source confirms Barron Gorge is a 66 MW run-of-river hydro station commissioned in 1963, with two 33 MW units and water supplied by Barron River inflows and occasionally Tinaroo Falls Dam.\"},{\"field_name\":\"capex_total_aud, capex_year, capex_per_mw_aud\",\"value_text\":\"Expected construction cost reported as £2,055,000 for construction beginning 6 October 1960; converted to A$4,110,000 at £1=A$2; capex_per_mw calculated on 66 MW site capacity.\",\"value_numeric\":4110000,\"unit\":\"AUD\",\"source_url\":\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barron_Gorge_Hydroelectric_Power_Station\",\"source_title\":\"Barron Gorge Hydroelectric Power Station\",\"publisher\":\"Wikipedia, citing Col Dunn, The History of Electricity in Queensland\",\"published_date\":null,\"confidence\":\"low\",\"raw_excerpt\":\"Construction of the new power station began on 6 October 1960 and it was expected to cost £2,055,000.\",\"ai_summary\":\"Only a secondary historical source was found for original construction cost. The reported expected cost was converted to nominal AUD using the Australian pound-to-dollar decimal conversion rate.\"},{\"field_name\":\"major_refurbishment_capex, asset_life_years\",\"value_text\":\"A$28 million refurbishment completed by Stanwell in 2011 extended the power station's life by 40 years.\",\"value_numeric\":28000000,\"unit\":\"AUD\",\"source_url\":\"https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/76472\",\"source_title\":\"FNQ renewable energy producer gets five-year overhaul\",\"publisher\":\"Queensland Government Ministerial Media Statements\",\"published_date\":\"2015-10-15\",\"confidence\":\"high\",\"raw_excerpt\":\"A $28 million refurbishment of the Barron Gorge Hydro was completed by the managers, Stanwell, in 2011 which extended the power station’s life by 40 years.\",\"ai_summary\":\"Queensland Government source confirms a modern A$28 million refurbishment and 40-year life extension, completed in 2011.\"},{\"field_name\":\"major_refurbishment_capex, asset_life_years, remote_operation\",\"value_text\":\"A$28 million upgrade extended life of some major components for another 40 years and enabled remote operation if required.\",\"value_numeric\":28000000,\"unit\":\"AUD\",\"source_url\":\"https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/43207\",\"source_title\":\"Projects boost sustainable remote power generation\",\"publisher\":\"Queensland Government Ministerial Media Statements\",\"published_date\":\"2006-08-01\",\"confidence\":\"high\",\"raw_excerpt\":\"The $28 million upgrade has extended the life of some major components of the facility for another 40 years and enables the power station to be operated remotely, if required.\",\"ai_summary\":\"Earlier Queensland Government announcement supports the same A$28 million upgrade and 40-year major-component life extension.\"},{\"field_name\":\"fixed_opex_per_mw_year_aud, fixed_opex_annual_aud\",\"value_text\":\"Default estimate: Entura recommends A$16,000/MW/year FOM for hydropower, adjusted by 1.5 for over-50-year-old stations and 1.5 for under-100MW stations, giving A$36,000/MW/year; multiplied by supplied 35 MW DUID capacity gives A$1.26 million/year.\",\"value_numeric\":36000,\"unit\":\"AUD/MW/year\",\"source_url\":\"https://www.aemo.com.au/-/media/files/electricity/nem/planning_and_forecasting/inputs-assumptions-methodologies/2019/report-pumped-hydro-cost-modelling.pdf?rev=eb00186be80c4c12902f3077c6030588&sc_lang=en\",\"source_title\":\"Pumped Hydro Cost Modelling\",\"publisher\":\"Entura for TasNetworks / AEMO inputs context\",\"published_date\":\"2018-12-07\",\"confidence\":\"medium\",\"raw_excerpt\":\"FOM should be taken as $16,000/MW/yr... For stations over 50 years old, a factor of 1.5 should be applied... For stations with installed capacity less than 100MW, a factor of 1.5 should be applied.\",\"ai_summary\":\"No Barron Gorge-specific O&M cost disclosure was found. Entura's AEMO-context hydropower O&M method provides a defensible technology default; Barron Gorge is over 50 years old and below 100 MW, so the estimated FOM rate is A$36,000/MW/year in 2018 AUD.\"},{\"field_name\":\"variable_opex_per_mwh_aud\",\"value_text\":\"Default estimate: variable O&M set to zero because hydropower O&M should be captured as fixed O&M, not VOM.\",\"value_numeric\":0,\"unit\":\"AUD/MWh\",\"source_url\":\"https://www.aemo.com.au/-/media/files/electricity/nem/planning_and_forecasting/inputs-assumptions-methodologies/2019/report-pumped-hydro-cost-modelling.pdf?rev=eb00186be80c4c12902f3077c6030588&sc_lang=en\",\"source_title\":\"Pumped Hydro Cost Modelling\",\"publisher\":\"Entura for TasNetworks / AEMO inputs context\",\"published_date\":\"2018-12-07\",\"confidence\":\"medium\",\"raw_excerpt\":\"VOM is not meaningful for hydropower projects... As such, FOM only should be used... hydropower operation and maintenance costs are captured as Fixed Operation and Maintenance costs only, rather than assigning some portion of these costs to Variable Operation and Maintenance.\",\"ai_summary\":\"Entura recommends no separate VOM for hydropower; this supports setting variable opex to zero where FOM is used to capture O&M.\"},{\"field_name\":\"fuel_cost_per_gj_aud, fuel_contract_notes\",\"value_text\":\"Hydro water fuel; no combustible fuel; fuel cost assumed zero for dispatch/fuel-cost purposes.\",\"value_numeric\":0,\"unit\":\"AUD/GJ\",\"source_url\":\"https://cleancoqueensland.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/FOR-WEB-Barron-Gorge-Factsheet-FINAL-VERSION-MAR-2025.pdf\",\"source_title\":\"Barron Gorge Factsheet - Final Version March 2025\",\"publisher\":\"CleanCo Queensland\",\"published_date\":\"2025-03\",\"confidence\":\"high\",\"raw_excerpt\":\"As a run-of-river hydro, the power station uses natural water inflows from the Barron River and if required, more water from Tinaroo Falls Dam to generate electricity. Water is captured at the Kuranda Weir, where it is diverted underground to the station’s two 33MW generators.\",\"ai_summary\":\"Owner factsheet confirms the energy source is water inflow, supporting no fossil fuel cost or fuel supply contract assumption.\"},{\"field_name\":\"emissions_intensity_tco2_mwh\",\"value_text\":\"Direct operational emissions intensity assumed zero for hydro generation at the meter.\",\"value_numeric\":0,\"unit\":\"tCO2/MWh\",\"source_url\":\"https://gridiq.com.au/insights/australia-generation-emissions-fy2024-25\",\"source_title\":\"Australia’s highest- and lowest-intensity power stations, FY2024-25\",\"publisher\":\"gridIQ, using Clean Energy Regulator NGER publication data\",\"published_date\":\"2026-05\",\"confidence\":\"medium\",\"raw_excerpt\":\"Wind, solar, and hydro report essentially zero scope 1 intensity at the meter. Source: Clean Energy Regulator NGER publication, effective February 2026 (FY2024-25 reporting period).\",\"ai_summary\":\"A CER-derived emissions analysis indicates hydro facilities report essentially zero Scope 1 intensity at the meter. This is not Barron-specific but is appropriate for direct operational emissions of run-of-river hydro.\"},{\"field_name\":\"major_refurbishment_or_closure_notes\",\"value_text\":\"Cyclone Jasper damaged Kuranda Weir in December 2023 and rendered Barron Gorge inoperable; recovery works through Phases A, B and C, with final infrastructure works to follow during 2026 dry season; FY25 priority capital projects included major valve replacement and PLC upgrade; temporary outage in early 2025 returned to service on 7 May 2025.\",\"value_numeric\":null,\"unit\":null,\"source_url\":\"https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Tabled-Papers/docs/5825T1385/5825t1385.pdf\",\"source_title\":\"CleanCo Queensland Annual Report 2025\",\"publisher\":\"CleanCo Queensland / Queensland Parliament tabled paper\",\"published_date\":\"2025\",\"confidence\":\"high\",\"raw_excerpt\":\"Following the impacts of ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper in December 2023... significant damage to critical infrastructure at the Kuranda Weir... Barron Gorge Power Station was rendered inoperable... 100% delivery of priority capital projects, including... Barron Gorge major valve replacement and PLC upgrade... The station returned to service on 7 May 2025.\",\"ai_summary\":\"Latest annual report found no closure plan, but documents major recovery and sustaining capital works following Cyclone Jasper, including valve/PLC works and Kuranda Weir remediation continuing into 2026.\"},{\"field_name\":\"asset_life_years, refurbishment_interval_default\",\"value_text\":\"Generic hydro/pumped-hydro design life 80-100 years; electro-mechanical major refurbishment usually every 25-30 years.\",\"value_numeric\":80,\"unit\":\"years\",\"source_url\":\"https://aemo.com.au/-/media/files/major-publications/isp/2025/aurecon-2024-energy-technology-costs-and-technical-parameter-review.pdf?la=en\",\"source_title\":\"2024 Energy Technology Cost and Parameters Review\",\"publisher\":\"Aurecon for AEMO\",\"published_date\":\"2024-12-06\",\"confidence\":\"medium\",\"raw_excerpt\":\"Design Life Years 80-100... Electro-mechanical elements are usually designed for some 40-50 years whilst civil infrastructure is designed for 100 years. Major refurbishment of Electro-mechanical elements usually occurs at 25-30 intervals.\",\"ai_summary\":\"AEMO/Aurecon generic hydro life assumptions support long physical life and periodic refurbishment, consistent with Barron Gorge's 2011 life-extension refurbishment.\"}],\"warnings\":[\"Original construction capex is based on a secondary historical source and was an expected cost, not a confirmed final outturn cost.\",\"Capex is site-level for the 66 MW Barron Gorge station; BARRON-2 is one DUID and the user-supplied 35 MW DUID capacity does not match the owner's two-by-33 MW site description.\",\"Fixed O&M and variable O&M are not Barron-specific disclosures; they are default estimates from Entura/AEMO-context hydropower assumptions in 2018 AUD and have not been escalated to 2026 dollars.\",\"Variable O&M is set to zero only because the selected hydropower O&M methodology consolidates O&M into fixed O&M; it does not mean there are no maintenance costs.\",\"Fuel cost is treated as zero for hydro water input; this does not account for any water licence, environmental, compliance, or shared dam/weir costs that may be incurred by the owner.\",\"No generator-specific heat-rate or thermal-efficiency value is applicable for run-of-river hydro.\",\"No closure date was found in searched owner, government, or AEMO-context sources.\"]}"
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