Horizon Power has installed three additional gas fired generators (1MW each) for the town of Onslow in time to meet the summer peak demand.
Horizon Power’s Managing Director Frank Tudor said yesterday Clarke Energy had fully commissioned three gas-fired generators for Horizon Power and reliability testing of the units was successfully completed last week.
“This important milestone will ensure that a critical phase of Onslow’s growth is supported as new subdivisions and commercial lots are developed alongside the construction of the nearby Chevron-operated Wheatstone Project, which is now about 50 per cent complete,” Mr Tudor said.
“The gas-fired generation will deliver additional power as an interim cost effective measure until the new Chevron-built power station is expected to be transferred to Horizon Power to own and operate from mid-2016.”
Mr Tudor said electricity demand in Onslow would increase significantly over the next two years.
“The installation of additional power is great news for Onslow and will ensure residents and organisations have enough power to meet their needs,” he said.
Ashburton Shire President Kerry White said she was very pleased, on behalf of the Onslow community, that the town’s power supply capacity had been increased.
“This is particularly great news for our business community but there will also be flow on benefits to everyone in Onslow,” Councillor White said.
“The upgrade will also ensure there will be sufficient power for tourists and other people in the soon-to-be refurbished Onslow Caravan Park, with its power upgrade being one of the first steps in that project.”
In the longer term, as part of its agreement with the Western Australian Government, Chevron is required to deliver essential power infrastructure in Onslow − including the construction of a new nine MW power station, a 33 kilovolt (kV) overhead transmission line and a 33/11 kV zone substation.
In parallel with the Chevron works, Horizon Power will deliver a network extension project, which will connect the new substation to the Onslow town, facilitating supply from the new power station. Both projects are expected to come on-line mid-2016.
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