11/12/07 – PEAKING POWER PLANT PROPOSAL FOR BURONGA

International Power Australia (IPRA) is finalising its draft environmental assessment of its proposal to develop a $110 million distillate-fired peaking power station near Buronga in south-western New South Wales.

Environmental Planning and Assessment Act. The proposal was lodged by the company late last year. As a major project, it requires approval by the NSW Minister for Planning.

“IPRA is committed to meeting its environmental and community obligations throughout the process and is undertaking a consultation program with stakeholders during the environmental assessment process,” said IPRA Corporate Affairs Manager, Mr Jim Kouts.

The proposed facility would comprise three separate open cycle generating units, each of up to 5oMW capacity. These will be capable of operating individually or in conjunction, together providing a high level of reliable generation capacity within the region. It is anticipated that the Buronga plant would operate in a “peaking role” on an as-required, intermittent basis for a total maximum period of up to 10 % of any year.

The plant would be located on land immediately adjacent to the TransGrid 220kV switching station on the Arumpo Road, approximately 10km northeast of Buronga, near Mildura. This location facilitates connection to the national electricity grid. IPRA has secured land lease arrangements the land should the project be approved.

New South Wales and would potentially address regional transmission constraint scenarios in the south west of the State.

If approved, the project would take approximately six months to complete and would employ up to 120 people at the peak of construction. As with all major projects, International Power’s investment will be subject to normal commercial review and International Power Board approval.

_________________________________________

IPRA is a wholly owned subsidiary of International Power plc, a UK-based independent power generation and operation company. International Power Plc has interests in 40 power stations in 20 countries around the world, is listed on the London Stock Exchange and has a current market capitalisation in excess of A$16.3 billion. Since becoming established in Australia in 1996, IPRA has invested in excess of A$5 billion and focused on becoming a leading player in the energy industry. The company owns and operates more than 3600MW of renewable, gas-fired and brown coal-fired generating plants in Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia. Its also has an energy retailing operation in Victoria and South Australia called Simply Energy.