The Pilbara Power Station in Western Australia has officially opened, welcoming a new era of energy for the region in the country’s north-west.
Using combined-cycle natural gas, South Hedland Power Station will deliver a safe and reliable energy supply to Pilbara residents well into the future while generating fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
The new power station, delivering 150MW of the most fuel-efficient energy in the Pilbara, is the result of a successful joint initiative between the State Government and industry to meet the long-term power needs of the region.
An extensive procurement process funded by the State Government and driven by Horizon Power awarded the contract to build, maintain and operate the station to Canadian energy company, TransAlta.
This followed two years of negotiations, designed to deliver power to the Pilbara at the lowest possible cost to taxpayers.
“We are celebrating more than the successful commissioning of this innovative power station – we are celebrating a great partnership between the State Government and industry,” WA Minister for Energy, Ben Wyatt, said
“At the end of the day, it’s all about supporting the people of the Pilbara by delivering a safe, reliable and fuel-efficient energy supply well into the future.”
Horizon Power is a foundation customer, and the new plant can be expanded to supply power to other commercial users from 2017 onwards.
