It is operated by Engie (previously known as GDF Suez Australian Energy), which owns 72 per cent of the power station.

In 1999, the proposed development of the Pelican Point Power Station led to widespread protests against its construction on environmental grounds, fearing hot water and chemical waste products from the station could harm local wildlife, in particular the dolphin and pelican populations of the Port River.

[2] These protests included a unanimous resolution by the City of Port Adelaide Enfield council to seek a legal injunction against its construction, and the formation of 'Community Action for Pelican Point' (later Community Action for Port and Peninsula),[3] an organisation that organised protest marches both in the local area and at Parliament House, Adelaide, and a long term picket line to block the access road to the construction site.

The protests and picket line led to multiple arrests, including that of the Mayor of the City of Port Adelaide Enfield, Joanna McCluskey, for failure to comply with police requests to move.

Since March 2013 the power station has generally operated at half capacity due to over-capacity in the South Australian region of the National Electricity Market.