Western Energy Pty Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Perth Energy, is building a 120 MW Open Cycle Gas Turbine (OCGT) power plant in Kwinana. The Plant, Kwinana Swift Power Station, will consist of four 30 MW gas turbines operating as an open cycle peaking station. These units have a relatively fast start - up time, typically less than ten minutes from start to full load.

View site photo's of the new plant here.        Kwinana Swift Ground Breaking Event

BENEFITS OF PROJECT

Given the characteristics of the plant, it will be ideal to be used to support/complement renewable energy plant with intermittent fuel supply such as wind farms and landfill gas, and to meet peak and high shoulder load demands.

The project would result in increased reliability of supply during high demand periods and improved security of electricity supply during system emergencies or blackouts. For supply security, the gas turbines will be designed to run on dual fuel (natural gas and distillate), however distillate will only be used when gas is unavailable.

The Project is expected to result in lower environmental impacts than those arising from conventional power generating facilities and will link into the South West Interconnected System (SWIS), selling electricity into the competitive electricity market.

The SWIS is divided into 13 load areas, of which Kwinana has the highest annual average (over five years) peak demand growth rate (Western Power, 2007). The Project will assist in avoiding shortfalls in electricity supply during periods of peak demand.

Overall key benefits of this project are:
· The plant's fast response capability will enable more renewable energy projects to be supported on the system
· The plant thermal efficiency exceeds the Australian Greenhouse Office (AGO) Technical Guidelines Generator Efficiency Standards (AGO 2006) for sent out thermal efficiency.
· Water injections to ensure the burners achieve NOx emissions of less than 25 ppm (dry at STP and 15% O2).
· The plant could be readily converted to Combined Cycle.
· The Project is located near its main customers' reducing line losses and resultant greenhouse gas benefits.
· Appropriate use of the State's premier heavy industrial location, Kwinana.
· Capital investment of up to $102 million in the Kwinana region.
· Employment of up to 80 people during the construction phase.
· Permanent employment of up to five people for the operating power station and contingent management workforce.

PROJECT INFORMATION

The key environmental issues considered in the Project design were:
· Impact of air quality in the Kwinana airshed;
· Greenhouse gas emissions;
· Noise from the plant;
· Wastewater disposal; and
· Overall environmental performance.

A summary of the above key environmental factors, existing environment and environmental impacts and management are presented in the EPA submission. The details provided indicate that all of the environmental factors can be managed to meet the EPA's objectives. Management of environmental factors for the Project will be undertaken within the framework of an Environmental Management System (EMS) based on the International Standard ISO14001.