Environment
We invest in energy-efficient technology
We are using the best available technology to generate reliable electricity for Queensland as efficiently and sustainably as possible.
Our main asset, Millmerran Power Station, is one of the youngest and most efficient coal-fired power stations in Australia.
Its use of super-critical boiler technology reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 10 per cent, making it one of the lowest emitters of any coal plant in the country.
We support the energy transition
Queensland’s energy transition depends on a number of factors, one of the most important being the system strength of the power grid.
System strength determines how much wind and solar energy can be developed and connected in an area without causing grid instability and power outages. It’s based on characteristics such as fault current, inertia and voltage control.
In a major boost to the Darling Downs region, the base load power generated by Millmerran Power Station is enough to support the safe connection of 2,500 megawatts of wind and solar energy to the grid.
We are careful about water use
Our power station uses air-cooled condensers, which run on 90 per cent less water than the water-cooled condensers most other coal plants use.
Our process water is also 100% recycled wastewater, thanks to a 98-kilometre underground pipeline built 25 years ago to connect our plant to Toowoomba’s Wetalla Sewage Treatment Plant. This means we don’t need to use any groundwater, which may have impacted local landholders and flora and fauna.
Our power plant also has a fully self-contained water cycle, so no industrial water is released into the environment and an ash storage dam is not required.
We are serious about reducing waste
Genuity is the largest recycler of fly-ash in Queensland, which is a by-product of coal-fired power generation.
We recycle more than 30 per cent of our ash, with the rest returned to the mine void to help with pit rehabilitation. The concrete industry is our largest user, with every tonne recycled removing one tonne of carbon emissions from its production processes.
We are responsible land managers
We are part-way through a voluntary project to establish one of the largest native forest regeneration projects in Australia supported by the Carbon Farming Foundation. It’s also an authorised carbon abatement project under the Clean Energy Regulator.
So far, we’ve planted about 150,000 mixed native trees to offset emissions and support local flora and fauna.
We also rehabilitate our mined land on an ongoing basis, guided by a State Government-approved Progressive Rehabilitation and Closure Plan. By the time Commodore mine reaches its end-of-mine life, this land will be in better environmental condition than it was prior to the commencement of mining.
We are looking at new energy options
Over the past two years, we’ve been investigating the potential to build a wind farm and battery energy and storage system at our Millmerran site.
Combining renewable energy and storage with base load power generation in the one regional location would see this site become a flexible and sustainable energy hub, with the capacity to reliably power Queensland for generations to come.
Social
Our decision to build a $1.5 billion power station on the Darling Downs more than 20 years ago continues to deliver long-term social and economic benefits to Queensland.
We contribute to the Queensland economy
Last year, Genuity contributed close to $275 million directly to the Queensland economy through wages, state taxes and royalties, local government rates and locally sourced goods and services. This generated substantial flow-on economic benefits including jobs and business opportunities for Queensland.
We are part of the community
Genuity employs about 135 people across our Millmerran facility and Brisbane office. Most of our plant employees live locally in Millmerran, Toowoomba, Pittsworth, Warwick or Dalby. We also have a regular contractor workforce of about 65 people, which increases to more than 500 during large maintenance outages. Our contract miner EPSA employs an additional 140 workers.
We invest in long-term sponsorships
LifeFlight, South West Region
For the past 17 years, Millmerran Power has been a proud sponsor of LifeFlight. Operating from its Toowoomba base, LifeFlight provides an essential aeromedical and rescue service to Queensland’s south-west region.
STEM-based career support for local students
A nine-year partnership with the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy provides school-based training and mentoring opportunities for local school students with an interest in STEM. Millmerran Power Station representatives help deliver hands-on workshops to local students and raise awareness about STEM-related career pathways.
We support fundraising projects
Millmerran Community Benefit Fund
In 1999, Millmerran Power Station established a $2 million community benefit fund. Over a 10-year period, this funding was fully distributed to support local projects and initiatives.
Millmerran Community Small Grants Program
Last year, Millmerran Power Station ran a unique safety incentive program which raised almost $35,000 for the local community. Thanks to the generosity of our employees and contractors, grants of up to $5,000 were donated to nine local organisations and sporting groups.
Annual Charity Fundraiser
Each year, Genuity hosts a charity fundraising event in Brisbane in memory of former Trading Manager, Peter Sherman, who sadly passed away from brain cancer in 2020. Over the past three years, this event has raised more than $130,000 for charity. This year’s beneficiary is TRACTION, which helps at-risk young people build skills, confidence and resilience by working alongside them to build their own bikes.
Governance
Values and Ethics
At Genuity, our core values carry through to every aspect of our business, providing guiding principles for accountability, transparency, fairness and responsibility for ethical decision-making.
Structure
Our corporate structure is strengthened by relevant charters, ensuring strong communication across the business and supporting our executive to act in compliance with our legal duties. This allows for informed, objective and efficient decision-making to be conducted with due care and in the best interests of the Genuity business.
Our parent company’s UK tax strategy is available here.
Policies
Policies established across Genuity and its related entities ensure our guiding principles and standards are ethically and lawfully implemented in everything we do. Our policies cover various areas and include a Code of Conduct, Conflict of Interest, Anti-Bribery and Corruption, Privacy, Modern Slavery Policy, Modern Slavery Statement and Whistleblowing
Risk
As defined in our Enterprise Risk Management Framework, Genuity has a robust risk identification and treatment process. This allows for effective and proactive management of business and strategic risks.
Compliance
Genuity proactively manages compliance and associated risks through a dedicated compliance management system. This provides a consistent approach across the business to ensure lawful and transparent conduct.
Audit
Self-checks and independent reviews are regularly performed across the business including an annual audit plan aligned to both business and strategic risks. This provides accountability and value-adding advice to the business for control effectiveness and ongoing assurance.