Two central components of the Pilbara Energy Plan are to add capacity to the North-West Interconnected System that supplies power to the region and to improve the security of existing supplies.

Improving energy security

Under the Pilbara Underground Power Project (PUPP), Horizon Power will improve the security and reliability of power supplies for the cyclone-prone towns of Karratha, South Hedland, Onslow and Roebourne by placing overhead powerlines underground. The underground work will also improve the aesthetics of those towns.

The project will cost $130 million, provided by the State-funded Royalties for Regions scheme and the Western Australian local government.

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Horizon Power Managing Director Rod Hayes said he was thrilled Horizon Power was leading the PUPP and supporting the vision of an improved quality of life for Pilbara residents.

Horizon Power will commence works on PUPP in Karratha in July 2010, with South Hedland to follow in June 2011. Onslow and Roebourne are both due to commence in 2012, with the entire project planned to be completed by the end of that year.

The project will also include a distribution voltage upgrade to Karratha, increasing from 11 kilovolts (kV) to 22 kV. Mr Hayes said “the voltage upgrade will provide increased power capacity required for Karratha to expand under its vision to become a city.”

Increasing capacity

As detailed planning and design work for PUPP continues in earnest, Horizon Power has just successfully commissioned another key project in the Pilbara region.

The company has partnered with Canadian power company ATCO to build the 86 megawatt gas-powered Karratha Power Station, officially opened at the end of May 2010 by Western Australian Energy Minister Peter Collier.

The power station uses 35 per cent less natural gas to produce each kilowatt of electricity compared to existing generation in the region, resulting in fewer greenhouse gas emissions.

The station can also be augmented with waste heat recovery units that will increase the station’s output by generating power from the heat by-product.

The power station is owned and operated by ATCO Power and supplies energy to Horizon Power customers under a long-term supply agreement.

“In spite of global economic instability, this part of Australia continues to thrive,” said Rick Brouwer, President, ATCO Power, at the launch.

“I am pleased we are able to supply this growing region with clean, environmentally friendly power.”

Mr Hayes said “The Pilbara is undergoing massive change and growth and energy security is an essential element of meeting the communities’ vision.

“The Karratha power station represents a major milestone in the delivery of Horizon Power’s vision for secure and economically viable power supplies to our customers. As the regional power provider for Western Australia, we understand that high quality, secure supplies underpin successful regional development.”