Eraring Power Station

Generator Transformer Explosion

28th October 2011
Background

• Eraring Power Station is a coal fired electricity

generator located on the western shore of Lake
Macquarie.
• Generator transformers convert the generator output
to high voltage supply for transmission.
• Each generator transformer contains approx 80,000
litres of transformer oil which is primarily used as a
coolant.

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The Incident

• At 2.16 am Friday 28th October 2011 unit 2B

generator transformer exploded with the transformer
oil catching fire. The oil fire burnt for approximately
two days.

• Rural Fire Service then Hazmat controlled the

incident. Other agencies to attend Eraring Power
Station on 28th October 2011 were NSW Police,
Office of Environment & Heritage, and Workcover

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• The explosion and volume of water used to suppress
the fire contributed to a small but unknown quantity of
oil escaping the bunding and collection systems to
enter the outfall canal and then into Lake Macquarie.

• Booms were deployed under the control and direction

of Hazmat at the outlet canal and the entrance to
Whiteheads lagoon. At the time a slight oil shimmer
or sheen was noticed and the booms were placed as
a precautionary measure.

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• During the course of events on Saturday 29th October, 2011 it
became evident a small amount of oil had entered Lake Macquarie
prior to the booms being put into place as the slight oil sheen had
been pushed to the shore line of local communities in the
Silverwater and Sunshine areas.

• Hazmat, Office of Environment & Heritage and Eraring Energy

environment staff addressed the issue of local containment and
clean up. Inspections of the lake revealed no presence of oil since
the morning of Sunday 30th October, 2011.

• The National Animal Trust Fund (NATF), National Parks and

Wildlife Service (NPWS) and Eraring Energy environment staff
investigated reports of oil contaminated birds and dead crustaceans
on Saturday 29th October. No affected birds were observed by
NATF, NPWS or Eraring Energy staff.

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 Committee of Inquiry

• A Committee of Inquiry has been established to investigate and

report on the generator transformer incident. Advice from
transformer experts not expected till quarter 2, 2012.

• Program to install Sergi transformer Protector – transformer

explosion and fire protection devices on all generator transformers
at a cost ~ $5M. These transformer protectors have been
researched and developed overseas and have only become
available on the Australian market in 2010.

• Investigation of quick deployment or permanent oil boom across

outlet canal at Myuna Bay.

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