Wärtsilä will provide a fast, flexible, and highly efficient smart power generation plant to Australian integrated energy company, AGL Energy Limited.
South Australia, where the new plant is to be located, is a market with high usage of renewables.
The new 211MW smart power generation plant, comprising 12 Wärtsilä 50DF dual-fuel engines, will provide the fast-starting capability required to respond rapidly to fluctuations that are inherent to renewable generation.
The new plant will be capable of reaching full output within minutes, and to provide reliability in all conditions. The customer, AGL Energy Limited, is one of Australia’s leading integrated energy companies, and has a large portfolio of renewable sources, including the nation’s largest wind and solar farms. The order with Wärtsilä, valued over €100m, is expected to be booked in Q1.
The engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) project represents the first utility-scale reciprocating engine power plant in Australia’s National Electricity Market (NEM). The new plant, to be known as the Barker Inlet Power Station, will be located on Torrens Island, near Adelaide in South Australia. The Wärtsilä engines will run primarily on natural gas, but can be switched to liquid fuel if necessary.
AGL Group Operations executive general manager Doug Jackson said: “The new power plant will improve the reliability and security of supply in South Australia. Wärtsilä’s reciprocating engines operate with a lower heat rate than other forms of fast-start plants currently available.”
Wärtsilä Energy Solutions president Javier Cavada noted: “The flexibility of the Wärtsilä solution is a key enabler for utilities to manage large amounts of solar and wind energy being introduced into the power system.
“It provides reliability of supply through its fast-starting and rapid response capability, and it is both fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly.
“We congratulate AGL on its commitment to a sustainable electricity supply, and we are delighted to be contributing to the success of this vision.”
The equipment is scheduled to be delivered towards the end of this year.