Darwin and Katherine's future electricity needs

13 Feb 2007

The construction of a new power station is the largest investment in Northern Territory electricity infrastructure in more than two decades.

To be located at the existing Weddell substation site on Channel Island Road, the site is adjacent to the existing natural gas pipeline to Channel Island, and the water mains to Channel Island and Wickham Point.

The Power and Water Corporation plans to have two generators located at Weddell, with the first generator expected to be in operation by late 2007.

The second generator will be operational by 2008. Each set has a capacity of 39 megawatts.

The new generators are expected to meet increasing demand in Katherine for the next five years.

GE Energy, one of the world’s leading suppliers of power generation and energy delivery technology, has been awarded the contract.

Total investment for the two generators to be installed in Weddell is almost $86 million. Additional project costs include the gas connection to the Amadeus pipeline ($500,000) and the communication infrastructure ($500,000).

There will be a local industry works program that will offer significant economic spin-offs to the region.