What we do
Electricity | Water and sewerage | Remote operations | Related companies
Electricity
We operate generation facilities across the Northern Territory, using gas, diesel, solar and combined technologies. This includes installation of the latest technology, for example the 44MW LM6000PD gas turbine generator installed at Weddell Power Station. It also includes pioneering energy-efficient innovations, for example the combined diesel-solar generation at Bulman and Kings Canyon, completed in 2003.
Our total capacity is more than 420 megawatts. Power and Water’s gas turbine power station at Channel Island, on Darwin Harbour’s Middle Arm, is the Territory’s largest power station (234 megawatts). Ron Goodin Power Station at Alice Springs is the 2nd largest (62.5 megawatts).
Katherine’s power station (21.3 megawatts), about 300 kilometres south of Darwin, is linked to the Channel Island facility by a 132,000 volt transmission line. The Darwin-Katherine system links the Channel Island, Weddell, Berrimah, Pine Creek, and Katherine power stations. Pine Creek is privately owned. The Darwin-Katherine system represents about three-quarters of the generating capacity owned by Power and Water.
Power and Water owns eight minor power stations dedicated to smaller townships at Borroloola, Daly Waters, Elliott, Kings Canyon, Timber Creek, Ti Tree and Yulara. The corporation also operates 68 remote community power stations, largely diesel powered.
The electricity network system connects domestic and commercial customers throughout the Territory to both private and Power and Water generators. The network system has a number of major regions - Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Darwin, Katherine, Jabiru and Yulara and consists of a 132kV and 66kV transmission network, 37,500 poles and towers, 5600km of overhead line and 1690km of underground cable.
The environmental challenges we face in maintaining the network include cyclones, severe storms, damage from trees and wildlife, especially flying foxes (bats).
- Trees and Powerlines
- Undergrounding Power
- View map– Electricity System
Water and sewerage
We provide water supply and sewerage services within five major and thirteen minor centres.
Most water supplies rely on ground water, however Darwin and Katherine use a combination of groundwater and surface water supplies. Major water sources are the Darwin River Dam in the Top End and the Roe Creek bore fields in Central AustraliaLimited water treatment is required and in most cases supplies are only disinfected prior to use. Yulara is an exception where a desalination plant is operated. In both Yulara and Alice Springs, non-potable groundwater supplies are reticulated for irrigation usage.
The system has the capacity to provide 322 million litres a day through 2,090km of water mains.All major centres have reticulated sewerage however some minor centres rely on septic tank system. Sewage is mostly treated via waste stabilisation ponds. The volume of sewage treated is approximately 20,000 million litres per year. We have developed a number of reclaimed water schemes to reduce the load on drinking water supplies and protect the environment. The sewerage system treats 18,897 millions litres a year through 1,036 km of sewer mains. The Alice Springs Water Reuse Project recycles water for use in horticulture and irrigation. Producing 600 million litres a year, it is the first project of its kind in Australia. Water from the wastewater stabilisation ponds undergoes treatment in a Dissolved Air Floatation plant before it is pumped 6.2km to underground aquifers at the Arid Zone Research Institute.
- Water Quality
- Darwin River Dam
- Mereenie Aquifer - Alice Springs
- Water Infrastructure
- Water Reuse in the Alice
- Trade Waste Program
- Darwin Sewerage Strategy
- View Map – Water supply
- View Map – Sewerage System
Remote operations
Electricity, water and sewerage services are provided to 72 Indigenous communities across the Northern Territory. These are in isolated locations, both in tropical and arid environments and require careful planning of all works, as well as active resource conservation initiatives. This includes solar-powered water pumps, highly efficient small diesel power stations, and engagement in community water planning.
Electricity generation is mainly diesel-fired; our water sourced from bores and our sewerage treatment is by conventional lagoons.
Many of the remote power stations are now controlled by fully automated computerised systems and these require a high degree of expertise by the staff involved. The systems monitor the community power requirements and automatically run the most appropriate engine to meet that requirement. These systems have been developed to provide electricity more efficiently and with the least possible interruption to supply. Stations are monitored remotely from the regional centre and most functions can also be controlled remotely.
There are approximately 250 production bores, 160 water storage tanks and 600 kilometres of reticulation spread across the 80 communities. Water is pumped from the source to a centrally located storage area which usually consists of at least one large tank on the ground and a smaller one elevated on a tank stand. From here the water is reticulated to customer’s properties for use. In most locations the water is chlorinated as a precaution against contamination. Ultraviolet systems are also used if appropriate but water treatment systems are the exceptions rather than the rule.
Thirty six communities have full water borne sewerage disposal systems.The remainder have individual on site systems such a septic tanks that are maintained by the community. Sewage is transported through a network of mains and manholes to pumping stations. From the pumping stations the waste is pumped to collection ponds for retention and treatment.
The day to day operation of the communities is managed by Remote Operations staff members, assisted by Essential Service Operators based in the community, as well as specialist contractors.
Related companies
Power and Water’s major fuel source is natural gas, sourced from the Mereenie and Palm Valley gas fields in Central Australia. This gas is transported to Power and Water’s power stations via the Amadeus Basin to Darwin gas pipeline, a 1512 Km pipeline leased and operated by NT Gas Pty Ltd.
Darnor Pty Ltd
Controlled through a Board of Directors, Darnor Pty Ltd holds a 2.5% equity in NT Gas Pty Ltd, the lessee operator of the Amadeus Basin-to-Darwin gas pipeline. Darnor Pty Ltd derives its income from transmission of gas via the Amadeus Basin to Darwin gas pipeline to third party customers.
Gasgo Pty Ltd
Gasgo Pty Ltd is also controlled through a Board of Directors. The company's primary role is to purchase gas from the Amadeus Basin gas producers and then sell the gas to NT Gas Pty Ltd. Power and Water purchases gas from NT Gas Pty Ltd as the primary fuel for power generation at stations in Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Katherine, Elliott and Darwin.