The CSM major said it had approved $7 million worth of modifications to the design of the Condamine power project that would see it begin selling electricity earlier than July 2009.

Under the revised design, the 135 megawatt combined cycle plant, to be built on QHC’s freehold land, would start generating electricity for sale in ‘open-cycle’ from February 2009 and in ‘closed-cycle’ from August.

QGC managing director Richard Cottee said the modifications would also improve the long-term operating flexibility, and boost sales options in an increasingly volatile electricity market.

“The present outlook for electricity prices more than justifies the incremental costs of $7 million incurred in making the design modifications to bring forward the commencement of electricity sales to include the 2009 winter,” he said.

The $170 million facility, which will supply electricity to the national grid, will use both QGC's CSM gas and water recovered as part of the production process.