Weddell Power Station nears completion

Stage one of the Weddell Power Station, the largest electricity generation project in the Northern Territory in the last 20 years is nearing completion. The first generator is due to come on line in late January 2008. The new power station will add 30% capacity to Darwin and Palmerston’s power supply and provide back up supply for Katherine if needed.

The Minister for Essential Services, Kon Vatskalis, visited the site this week and joined Power Water’s Weddell Project Manager, Johannes Rickermann, to inspect progress. Already on site and in position is the generator, gas turbine, transformer, water tanks, gas skid and switchyard. Johannes explained that the power station is state of the art and in its current configuration has a life span of 25 years, which might be extended if required. Weddell power station using gas fuel with highly efficient machines generates only half the amount of greenhouse emissions per electricity generated as standard coal fired power stations.

Synchronisation, the first time the system will be connected to the grid, is scheduled for the second week of December and then load and systems testing will take place before completion in January.

A second generator is due for completion in 2008 and within five years a third generator will be constructed at a total cost of $126.6 million. Currently, more than 40 Territory companies have contributed to the project.