Melbourne, 15 may 2007
Siemens Power Generation has been awarded a major contract to supply gas turbines for a 640 megawatt power station in the Uranquinty area near Wagga Wagga in NSW. The gas turbine plant is designed to minimise impact on the surrounding environment and air quality and will produce 30 per cent less greenhouse gases than a traditional coal-fired plant.
Work on the project commenced in April 2007, with handover to the developers, NewGen Power, a joint venture between energy solution specialist ERM Group and investment bank Babbock & Brown, in late 2008.
According to Siemens Executive General Manager Power Generation, David Pryke, the project will deliver innovative power plant technology that is reliable and compatible with the environment.
“At Siemens we are committed to providing innovative solutions to key challenges facing the power industry such as the rising demand for electricity and the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. We recognise that all future power generation facilities will need to be acutely aware of the impact they are having on their immediate environment and their long-term viability. This project is another example of how Siemens technology is making significant contributions to the Australian energy market,” Mr Pryke said.
“The new power station will provide electricity to NSW homes and business during periods of peak demand. It has been specifically designed as a fast starting facility, which means it will be capable of responding to rapid changes in electricity demand while maintaining an uninterrupted supply to customers,” he said.
The project marks a continuation of Siemens long-term relationship with ERM Group, which began in 1998.
“We built our first power station for ERM in Oakey in South East Queensland and are pleased that Siemens has now been given the opportunity to work again with ERM to improve power supply to NSW,” Mr Pryke said.
Siemens delivers comprehensive solutions for the efficient generation, transmission and distribution of power to a wide variety of customers and industries, including utilities, metals and mining, oil and gas and chemical and petrochemical plants