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Northern /Thomas Playford Power Station, South Australia Site name: PORT AUGUSTA POWER STATION Site number: 019066 Latitude: 32.53 °S   Longitude:  137.79 °E Elevation: 7 m 	Commenced:  1958  Status: Open

Thomas Playford Power Station is a coastal locality in east South Australia, Australia situated about 280km north-northwest of Adelaide (show me). Thomas Playford Power Station is at an altitude of about 7m above sea level. The nearest more populous place is the city of Port Augusta which is 5km away with a population of around 13,000 The first stage of Port Augusta's Playford Power Station was opened in 1954, powered by coal railed from Leigh Creek, and the second stage opened in 1960. The adjacent Northern Power Station has two generators that will each produce 259 megawatts. Ultimately the new and old power stations will consume up to 4 million tonnes of coal annually. Tours of the Northern Power Station are conducted weekdays (except public holidays) commencing 10am, 11am and 1pm. Strong footwear should be worn. Turn of Highway One at Truckers Tucker, approximately 5km each of Port Augusta. For further information, 8642 0666.

The operator of Port Augusta power station, Babcock and Brown, says it will make a commercial decision about the station's future once details of an emissions trading scheme are clear.

The Playford B plant has been deemed the least efficient in the national power grid. South Australian Greens MP Mark Parnell says Playford B should be shut down because it negates the benefits of SA generating clean energy such as wind power. A report by the international organisation, the Climate Group, has found the plant produces more greenhouse gas per unit of electricity than any other in Australia. Operator Babcock and Brown says emissions are high, but the station is critical to the security of energy supplies in South Australia.

A spokesman says the plant is used for just 15 to 20 per cent of the year to cope with peak demand.