Alice Springs' new power station update

31 Aug 2010

Once the three 12V51/60DF engines are commissioned and the associated network infrastructure is complete, the Owen Springs Power Station, 25km south of Alice Springs, will provide the most efficient open-cycle power supply in Australia.

These engines offer the highest efficiency in gas-fuelled generation for this size power system. This shows that Power and Water is committed to its goal of minimising emissions to the environment and gaining optimum cost-efficiency.

All three 10.9MW MAN engines were shipped by MAN Diesel & Turbo to Darwin, two coming from France and one from Germany, and then transported 1500km by road to Alice Springs.

This new power station, network infrastructure and associated works will be commissioned this year providing an additional 33MW of power at a cost of $150 million.

Commissioning of the units, by the construction contractor MAN Diesel & Turbo – and the transmission system power network that connects them to Alice Springs – is scheduled to commence this month with completion in October 2010.

It is estimated that the remaining units at Ron Goodin Power Station will continue to supply Alice Springs for around 10 years but the units will be progressively retired.

Sixty six thousand volt powerlines are being built to transport the energy from Owen Springs to the city. About eight kilometres of these powerlines will be underground to preserve the natural beauty of the town.

Go to Owen Springs Power Station for more information.