The first unit of the power station was opened by GovernorRobert George on 23 July 1954.[2] It was the first power station in South Australia which did not require the importation of fuel from interstate. It was expected to take a few years before all six units were operational.[3] The life of Playford A and B stations was expected to be 30 years, the supply of coal then known to be available from Leigh Creek.[4] Playford A was decommissioned in 1985, however the building remained until all three power stations were demolished in 2018.[5]
Flinders Power, a division of Alinta Energy, contracted out the demolition of all three power stations and remediating the site.[6] The demolition and 1068ha site rehabilitation was completed in May 2019.[7]