Friday, 7 November 2008
WA powers up for summer as new generator opens
Western Australia’s power grid will be boosted by ten per cent in the lead up to summer, with the State’s most modern and efficient power station officially opened today.
NewGen Power’s Kwinana power station, which is a 320 MW “combined cycle” gas-fired base-load facility will supply power round-the-clock, providing critical extra capacity into the South-West Interconnect System (SWIS).
NewGen Power has also commenced construction of a 330MW open cycle gas turbine peaking power station in Neerabup, north of Perth, and this combined with the Kwinana power station represents more than an $800million investment in WA.
NewGen Power Kwinana Chairman Trevor St Baker said the power station was among the most efficient in the country, and was helping Western Australians reduce their carbon footprint.
“This is a combined cycle power station, which means that it produces electricity from two sources – gas and steam,” he said.
“The plant harnesses and uses the steam produced from the waste heat in the exhaust of the gas turbine to run a steam turbine, which means we are able to produce more power using less fuel, and significantly reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from the project.”
Mr St Baker said the power station – which began operations seven weeks ahead of schedule and under budget – reflected ERM’s long-term commitment to Western Australia.
The project will bring an estimated economic benefit in excess of $1billion to the region during its operating life.
“Most importantly, the NewGen Kwinana power station is capable of delivering approximately ten per cent of Western Australia’s electricity demand,” Mr St Baker said.
“This will ensure the State will be well covered this summer and for many years to come”
WA Energy Minister Peter Collier, who opened the power station, said the project would ensure reliable power supplies to industry and underpin the State’s ongoing economic growth.
“One of the State Government’s primary objectives this year is to improve power reliability across the State,” he said.
“The Kwinana power station is an integral part of this initiative and will bring much-needed additional capacity to meet WA’s electricity requirements.”
Mr Collier said the station would provide low-cost, environmentally friendly electricity to WA, using gas from the North West Shelf delivered through the Dampier to Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline.
“The gas-fired operation reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to half and water consumption by up to 90 per cent compared with a conventional plant,” he said.
Since its inception, the NewGen Kwinana power station has used local skills and created more than 300 jobs during the construction phase. A further 20 ongoing jobs will be created.
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