Esperance Power Project

What is the purpose of the Esperance Power Project?
The Project aligns with Horizon Power’s strategy of seeking cost effective energy solutions, while being committed to increasing renewable energy generation wherever possible.

Why now?
Horizon Power’s current contract with Esperance Power Station will expire in early 2022.  Horizon Power undertook a comprehensive tender process to secure a future Power Purchase Agreement which will deliver cost effective, reliable electricity for its customers in the Esperance region.

What is a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)?
A Power Purchase Agreement is a contract with an Independent Power Provider to purchase electricity to supply to our customers. 
A PPA only deals with electricity generation. Horizon Power continues to own and operate the network.

Who was awarded the new Power Purchase Agreement?
Australian-owned and Western Australian based business, Contract Power Australia (CPA), has been awarded the Power Purchase Agreement to supply power to Horizon Power customers in Esperance, commencing January 2022.

What expertise does CPA bring to the Project?
CPA is a competent and highly experienced generation provider that has an excellent track record in delivering power stations.
For the past 25 years the company has provided specialised remote power supplies to the WA Mining Sector and WA State Government.
In total, CPA has installed 356 megawatts of power generation in Australia and a further 50 megawatts of power globally.

Has Horizon Power worked with CPA previously?
Yes, CPA already has a strong, collaborative relationship with Horizon Power and has a reputation for delivering challenging projects on time.  These projects include:

• Onslow 2019: As part of the Onslow Renewable Energy Project, CPA was awarded the contract to build and install a 1MW/1MHh utility battery energy storage system at Horizon Power’s new substation, approximately 3km from the Onslow town centre.
• Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory Project (MRO) 2016: Awarded the contract to design, construct and operate a 2.5 MW hybrid diesel-solar power station to support the world’s largest telescope operated by CSIRO.
• Kununurra 2016: Awarded the contract to upgrade and relocate existing infrastructure and assets, along with the procurement and installation of new diesel generation infrastructure for Horizon Power’s Kununurra power station.
• Mid-West 2015: Awarded a power supply agreement to design and construct six power stations within a 7 month period to supply the mid-west towns of Cue, Meekatharra, Mt Magnet, Willuna, Sandstone and Yalgoo.
• Mungullah 2014: Assisted in the completion and commissioning of the new Mungullah power station supplying safe, reliable power to the town of Carnarvon.

Will there be local employment opportunities?
Yes. CPA is proactive in providing employment opportunities for people living in the communities where it works. During the 15 month construction period, CPA along with its major sub-contractor, have set a target to source 15% of its construction workforce from the Goldfields Esperance region.

To stay informed of future employment opportunities which become available, please email CPA at: enquiries@contractpower.com.au
Please use the subject Line: EPP Prospects and ensure to attach a current copy of your resume.

Will local goods and services be sourced?
Yes. Horizon Power in partnership with CPA is helping to create and support thriving communities through its shared commitment to putting regions first.
Wherever possible, goods and services will be procured from local businesses in the Goldfields Esperance region.

To stay informed of future procurement opportunities, please email CPA at: enquiries@contractpower.com.au
Please use the subject Line: EPP Prospects and attach supporting information, such as your company’s capability statement.

What is the Project’s timeline?
Key milestone dates for the delivery of Esperance’s future power solution are:

What will the new power solution include?
Contract Power Australia will undertake the design, procurement, construction and operation of Esperance’s new power solution which will include:

• A new highly efficient gas power station
• A battery energy storage system
• Two new wind turbines
• A new central solar farm

What are the benefits of the new power solution?
Esperance’s future power solution is combining a new, more efficient power station with a significant increase in renewables.
This is a long term solution which will deliver cleaner electricity by reducing the carbon footprint and increasing the generation of renewable energy to provide the best outcome for the community.

Will the new power station have lower carbon emissions?
Yes.  Through improved design and technology, a more efficient power station will be constructed. This new power station will deliver a 50 per cent reduction in carbon emissions per annum compared to the existing power supply arrangements.

This significant reduction in carbon emissions is the equivalent to removing approximately 6,458 cars off the road annually.  
That’s almost the equivalent of the total number of registered motor vehicles in Esperance.

How much of Esperance’s electricity will be generated by renewables?
A new state-of-the-art renewables hub will be constructed to deliver approximately double the annual amount of renewable energy being produced by the current power solution.

The hub will includes a new 4 megawatt solar farm and two 185m wind turbines with a combined capacity of 9 megawatts.  Combined, this will deliver up to 46% of Esperance’s renewable energy annually.

Where will the new renewables hub be located?
The new renewables hub comprising of a 4 megawatt solar farm and two 185m wind turbines with a combined capacity of 9 megawatts will be constructed in the Shark Lake industrial area.

This will create an iconic landmark for Esperance, which air passengers travelling into and out of Esperance airport will be able to view.

How large is the new solar farm?
A new 4 megawatt solar farm comprising of more than 8,900 solar panels will be constructed.

This will be the largest solar farm in Horizon Power’s renewables portfolio to date.

Why are you combining wind turbines and solar power?
Horizon Power has been leading the way in developing tailored large and small scale renewable solutions throughout regional WA.  Over the past decade, we have been progressively incorporating more renewables, in particular solar energy, into our portfolio.

Solar and wind power are complementary renewable energy sources and together are ideal for Esperance’s weather conditions.

During the day the solar farm is capturing the energy from the sun, and after dark is when the wind farm is most active.

Combined, these two energy sources will enable electricity to be generated by renewables on a 24 / 7 basis.

Will the current wind turbines be used?
Wind turbines will continue to be an important part of Esperance’s energy mix.

Two new state-of-the-art wind turbines will be constructed to replace the existing, aging wind turbines.

Through improvements in design and technology these new turbines will be able to make more efficient use of the wind resources in Esperance, and have more power and a higher capacity to produce electricity. Each wind turbine will stand more than 100 metres high and combined will have the capability to generate 8.6 megawatts of power. 

That’s 58% more wind power than the combined output of the existing 6 turbines.

Will there be an opportunity for the community to become involved in the renewables hub?
Yes. Horizon Power recognises the Esperance community’s strong support for renewable energy. The inclusion the new renewables hub will have the capability to generate up to 46% of the community’s annual power through renewables, and presents an exciting opportunity for Horizon Power to involve the community in exploring an interest in, and the possibility of, a future shared ownership of the solar farm.

As the project progresses, this is an opportunity which Horizon Power will further explore with the community through a comprehensive engagement process.

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