General News
4 September, 2023
Power hub to clean up energy demand
A planned $170 million power station near Horsham to provide the Wimmera with a more stable electricity supply and help ensure the region’s renewable energy future has held community sessions to outline plans to the public. A Horsham Energy Hub...
A planned $170 million power station near Horsham to provide the Wimmera with a more stable electricity supply and help ensure the region’s renewable energy future has held community sessions to outline plans to the public.
A Horsham Energy Hub proposal involves building a "firming" power station on the Western Highway at Burnt Creek, creating 150 jobs during the construction phase and five full-time jobs in the longer term.
Hub project development manager Tim Vesey said when the sun didn't shine, the wind didn't blow and demand surged, "firming" plants were needed.
He said firming power stations provided support to other renewables, filling the gaps when they were unable to supply sufficient power.
The hub would include a 60-megawatt gas turbine power plant capable of providing reliable energy to more than 25,000 residences and 15,000 businesses across western Victoria.
It would also include a 20-megawatt hydrogen electrolysis plant with the hydrogen used to generate power.
After environmental assessments, community information sessions were held.
Stage three, planned for later this year, is to present a planning report and permit applications to the state government.
Stage four, in early 2024, is to gain developmental approval.
The start of building is set for 2025 with completion in 2026.
Energy Transition Solutions is carrying out an assessment of potential impacts to the environment, cultural heritage and social values associated with the project which will require about 30ML of water annually - the equivalent of 12 Olympic-size swimming pools - to produce hydrogen which will be stored onsite.
The new power station will use natural gas blended with hydrogen produced at the site.
"Clean hydrogen is an important part of Australia’s quest to reach net zero emissions by 2050, with contributions in areas such as grid firming, transport and industry, including farming," Mr Vesey said.
"Australia is targeting 80 per cent renewable electricity generation by 2030 and aims to be a significant player in supply to the global hydrogen industry."
Mr Vesey said about 7.5ha of the 38-hectare site would be set aside to protect existing remnant buloke woodland.
“These woodlands are considered a threatened/endangered native vegetation community under state and federal legislation and we're keen to protect and enhance this important environmental asset,” he said.
A Western Highway truck stop adjacent to the proposed hub entrance would not be affected by the project.
"We believe this is an exciting project for the region providing future power security and renewable energy self-sufficiency and positioning the Wimmera as a key producer of renewable and reliable energy,” Mr Vesey said.
Energy Transition Solutions says it specialises in "value creation projects which balance fluctuating electricity supply and demand and provide support for regional renewable energy and grid stability".
Its project portfolio includes the Dubbo Firming Power Station in NSW and the Barnawartha Energy Hub in Victoria.
For more information email info@energyts.com.au or visit energyts.com.au