07/12/06 – IPRA HERONS CREEK POWER PROPOSAL

International Power Australia (IPRA) is planning to develop a 120MW distillate-fired peaking power station at Herons Creek, approximately 24km south west of Port Macquarie on the mid north coast of New South Wales.

This follows concerns identified by the NSW High Voltage transmission system operator, TransGrid, about the reliability of power supply to the region during periods of peak demand.

IPRA has lodged a proposal for a $50m facility comprising three separate 40MW generating units, capable of operating individually or in conjunction, to provide a high level of reliable generation capacity within the region. The power station would use distillate-fired generators with dual fuel capability in the event that commercial natural gas supplies become available in the future.

The Herons Creek Peaking Power Plant would operate in a “peaking role” on an as-required, intermittent basis for a total maximum period of up to 10 per cent of any year.

IPRA Corporate Affairs Manager Jim Kouts said the company had prepared a preliminary environmental assessment report to allow the NSW Department of Planning to issue environmental assessment requirements for project approval.

He said the company was committed to a consultation process with stakeholders during the development assessment process and was also investigating the feasibility of treating effluent from the adjacent Port Macquarie-Hastings Council sewerage treatment works for process use in the plant.

“The proposed location has been selected on the basis it has the least impact in terms of the overall environmental impact on the local community in solving TransGrid’s problems,” said Mr Kouts.

“The closest single residence is approximately 300m to the north and the small township of Herons Creek is about 2.2km north of the site.”

He said there would be extensive landscaping and screening of the plant which, if approved, would take approximately six months to complete.

As with all major projects, International Power’s investment would be subject to normal commercial review and International Power Board approval.