Construction underway on new $295m gas-fired power plant in SA

A new 210MW gas-fired power station is now underway in South Australia at Barker Inlet – approximately 18 kilometres from the Adelaide CBD.

This $295 million project is going to replace two of the four turbines at the Torrens A gas power plant. AGL – the project proponent – will progressively shut down the 50-year old plant from July 2019. On the other hand, the four gas turbines at Torrens B will remain operational.

According to South Australian Minister Tom Koutsantonis, the Barker Inlet Power Station will help the State reduce its electricity prices.

“We’re introducing a new generator into the system, and the key to putting downward pressure on prices is more generation,” Mr Koutsantonis said.

AGL CEO Andy Vesey said that the new power plant will provide increased power reliability as well as security for South Australians.

“We’re investing $395 million in constructing s 210MW gas plant using reciprocating engines, which will deliver more reliable, dispatchable power to the National Electricity Market.

“This high efficiency, flexible plant will be in place before other capacity is retired so we can deliver an orderly energy transition,” Mr Vesey said.

The new power station will comprise of 12 dual fuel reciprocating engines which are capable of generating approximately 18MW each. This set up will enable the power station to run on either gas or diesel fuel, should the need arise.

Construction of the Barker Inlet Power Station is expected to support up to 200 jobs and the project is due for completion by the second half of 2019.

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Source: Construction Advisor, AGL