Darling Downs is a 644 MW gas power station in Queensland, Australia. It is operated by Origin Energy. Based on reported annual generation of 2,245 GWh, it can supply roughly 642k homes. It ranks #31 of 536 Australia power plants by installed capacity. Commissioned in 2009, it is around 17 years old — relatively modern. In context, gas supplies about 16.4% of Australia's electricity; the national grid averages 525 gCO₂/kWh (38.6% low-carbon) (2025).
Plant data: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0), id AUS0000156.
Data status
Known data
Calculated from dataset
Known, modelled and calculated values are kept separate. Missing fields are shown as unavailable.
Data provenance
Source of the capacity and fuel values:
capacity: GEM · 2026 · L100000405110; fuel: WRI GPPD
In context: how this plant compares
At 644 MW, Darling Downs is well above the median gas plant in Australia (106 MW). Technically it is described as CCGT; combined-cycle with a heat-recovery steam generator (HRSG). Gas plants burn natural gas either in open-cycle turbines for fast peaking, or in combined-cycle units that recover exhaust heat in an HRSG to reach roughly 55–62% efficiency — the cleanest-burning fossil option.
Capacity comparison computed from the WRI Global Power Plant Database; fuel-type context is general engineering background.
Key facts
- Load factor
- 40%, from 2,245 GWh of reported generation; the median for 84 gas plants in Australia that report generation is 24%
- Generation trend
- 2,881 GWh in 2013 and 2,245 GWh in 2018 (−22%)
- Highest and lowest year
- 2015: 4,338 GWh; 2018: 2,245 GWh
- Share of Australia gas capacity
- 2.2% of 29,942 MW across 163 plants in this dataset
- Age among peers
- 26 of 59 dated gas plants in Australia are older
Calculated from the capacity and generation records in this dataset (WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0)).
Reported generation trend
Annual generation (GWh), WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0).
Owner
Operated by Origin Energy. All plants by this company →
Local climate & thermal context
This gas plant burns natural gas in a turbine — often in a combined-cycle setup — to generate electricity. It sits in a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) — Southern Hemisphere, latitude 27.1°S — which shapes how much energy it can produce and how its output varies through the year.
Monthly mean temperature
Heating degree-days here run 72% below the median power plant in this dataset — a proxy for how much extra energy heated equipment must replace through its surfaces in winter.
Climate heat-demand index: 23/100 — this site sits in the bottom third of the power plants we cover by heating degree-days.
A gas turbine here also runs ~3% below its ISO (15°C) rating at this annual mean (typical CCGT curve, estimate).
Climate normals: WorldClim 2.1 (1970–2000 monthly normals, 10 arc-min, CC BY 4.0); zone: Köppen-Geiger world climate classification (Kottek et al. 2006, 0.5° grid). Degree-days & heat-demand index computed by PowerAtlas — a modelled heat-demand proxy, not a measured site figure.
Site climate & environmental severity
This site sits in a moderately corrosive environment (estimated ISO 9223 class C3 — Medium), with humidity / wetness the leading environmental stress.
Indicative estimate via the ISO 9223:2012 informative method (atmospheric corrosivity from temperature, time-of-wetness and airborne salinity), using WorldClim climate normals, the Köppen-Geiger class and coast distance. Indicative, not a measured corrosion rate.
How it compares & nearby plants
The #10 largest gas power plant of 163 in Australia by capacity.
Australia has 163 gas power plants in this dataset, together about 29,942 MW of capacity.
Nearby power plants
- Braemar 2 · Gas · 519 MW · Queensland
- Braemar 1 · Gas · 504 MW · Queensland
- Darling Downs Solar Farm · Solar · 110 MW · Queensland
- Daandine · Gas · 33 MW · Queensland
- Kogan Creek · Coal · 750 MW · Queensland
- Brigalow Peaking Power Plant · Gas · 399.6 MW · Queensland
Location
Coordinates -27.1169, 150.8942 from WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). View on OpenStreetMap.
Frequently asked questions
What type of power plant is Darling Downs?
Darling Downs is a 644 MW gas power plant in Queensland, Australia, commissioned in 2009.
How much electricity does Darling Downs generate?
Darling Downs generates about 2,245 GWh of electricity per year.
Who operates Darling Downs?
Darling Downs is operated by Origin Energy.