Bunnerong 'A' Station - 175 MW
Bunnerong was originally built with eighteen cross drum boilers from Babcock & Wilcox Ltd (UK), supplying steam at and , with each boiler producing of steam. Six 25 megawatt (MW)Bunnerong 'B' Station - 200 MW
Bunnerong 'B' Station began operation in 1939, with the commissioning of a 3-stage 50 MW turbo-alternator (Number 8) supplied by C.A. Parsons and Company. A second 50 MW turbine (Number 9) followed in 1941, bringing the capacity of Bunnerong to 275 MW. Bunnerong 'B' Boilerhouse had four Babcock & Wilcox pulverized fuel boilers, each produced 300,000lbs/hr of steam at 600psi. In 1949, two oil fired, Velox boilers from Gibson, Battle & Co Pty Ltd of Sydney were added. Each could produce an additional 165,000lbs/hr of steam at 600PSI and 825°F. Being a range type station these Velox boilers could supply steam to either A or B stations. The boilers of 'A' Station suffered from reduced efficiency and clinker-related shutdowns owing to shortages of high grade hand-selected coal after the mechanization of mining began. The more modern 'B' Station was designed to handle the lower quality, impure coal extracted in mechanized mining, but supply difficulties meant that it often received the high grade product intended for 'A' Station. In 1946, supplementary oil burners were fitted to every boiler, to mitigate the consequences of coal shortages and quality issues. A third 50 MW Parsons turbo-alternator was commissioned in 1947, followed by a fourth identical unit. These final two machines were fed by four Simon-Carves pulverized fuel boilers rated at 300,000lb/hour, exhausting to a large concrete chimney. The completion of Bunnerong 'B' Station increased the total capacity to a continuously-rated 375 MW, making Bunnerong the largest power station in the southern hemisphere. During overload testing in 1958, a maximum of 382 MW was achieved. After the completion of 'B' Station, more than 1,600 people were employed on the site. A number of industrial disputes relating to unsatisfactory working conditions resulted in reduced power output, sometimes for weeks on end.Bunnerong Railway Branch
The council operated its own private railway which connected the power station with Botany Goods Yard. The railway continued to operate as a private line when the power station was taken over by the Electricity Commission, including the shunting of a siding to the Boral plant. On 19 November 1966, there was a fatal accident when a train ran away down the steep grade of this siding.''Runnaway Train on the Bunnerong Branch'' Oakes, JohnElectricity Commission of New South Wales
TheClosure and Demolition
With the completion of newer power stations, Bunnerong 'A' was out of use by 1973, 'B' Station was relegated to emergency supply duties, and the entire installation was finally decommissioned in 1975. The removal of equipment began in 1978 and was largely completed by 1981. Peak load gas turbines were in use on the site from 1982 to 1984, but demolition commenced after their removal. The 112 metre-high concrete emission stack of Bunnerong 'B' boilerhouse was demolished in December 1986, and the majority of the huge structures of 'A' and 'B' Stations were razed by 28 June 1987. Demolition was largely undertaken by the American company, Controlled Demolition Incorporated. The large switch house dating from 1926 remained in place until its levelling in March 1994. Few traces of the power station remain.References
{{EnergyNSW Former buildings and structures in Sydney Coal-fired power stations in New South Wales Demolished buildings and structures in Sydney Demolished power stations Decommissioned power stations in New South Wales Buildings and structures demolished in 1987 Sydney County Council