South Australia’s new power plant will give the state access to an additional 276 MW of electricity generation and be delivered in time for summer 2017.
The new GE TM2500 aero derivative turbines have been connected to the grid at two locations – the former General Motors Holden site at Elizabeth and the Adelaide Desalination Plant at Lonsdale.
The turbines have passed necessary testing requirements and are ready to despatch electricity to the grid to help avoid supply shortfalls.
The power plant, supplied by APR Energy, will operate on diesel fuel for the next two summers, before being relocated to a permanent location as a State-owned power plant operating on gas.
The plant is cleaner than the former Northern Power Station, and once operating on gas, will be cleaner and more efficient than Torrens Island Power Station.
The power plant will be complemented by the world’s largest lithium ion battery and new Ministerial powers of direction.
South Australian Premier, Jay Weatherill, said the state’s energy landscape will look very different compared to the 2016 summer.
“We now have our own power plant, delivering up to 276 MW of additional generation when we need it,” Mr Weatherill said.
“We’ll have access to the world’s largest lithium ion battery, providing up to 100 MW of dispatchable electricity.
“And the Energy Minister now has the power to direct available generators to turn on at short notice in emergency situations, to avoid the absurd situation where generators sit idle while households lose power.”
