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ERM’s proposed Wellington power project in New South Wales has moved significantly closer to commencing construction with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Eastern Star Gas to provide a long term contract for 20 petajoules of gas per annum.
ERM managing director Philip St Baker said the MOU advances the company’s plans for the Wellington site.
“The deal is valued at over $1.6 billion and will satisfy the project's gas requirements for 20 years.
“ERM obtained development approval for construction of the 600MW power station last year and plans to commence construction in 2011 with commercial operation in 2013,” Mr St Baker said.
”The low emission power station will operate with greenhouse gas emissions 40 per cent less than present average emission levels and with a fraction of the water consumption."
More than 300 jobs will be created during the construction with 6 to 10 permanent full-time jobs thereafter.
The MOU with Eastern Star Gas is also a major step forward for the development of the Narrabri coal seam gas project, which will see NSW develop its first major source of indigenous gas.
ERM developed power stations provided the early gas sinks to prove up the Coal Seam Gas industry in Queensland which is now a burgeoning success. ERM holds the same confidence for the Gunnedah region in NSW.
Natural gas is cleaner and more efficient than coal as an electricity fuel and the development of NSW’s natural gas reserves will represent a boost for regional jobs, the rural NSW economy and for carbon pollution reduction.
Philip St Baker said “Australia will start making meaningful strides to deliver affordable carbon pollution reduction when a price signal for new lower emission electricity generation is put in place."
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