New Zealand First in Oceania to Operate GE LMS100 Gas Turbine Peaking Units

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--In November, New Zealand energy generator and retailer Contact Energy Limited (NZX:CEN) (Wellington, New Zealand) will complete the addition of two 100-megawatt (MW) gas-fired turbine peaking units at the company's Stratford Power Station in Taranaki, New Zealand, inland from New Plymouth on the North Island.

The new $250 million addition is located adjacent to the company's existing Taranaki Combined-Cycle Power Station. The high-efficiency General Electric (NYSE:GE) LMS100 gas-fired turbine generators, will produce 200 MW and bring the site's total output to 580 MW, which accounts for 9% of New Zealand's electricity during peak loads in winter.

The LMS100 is currently the most efficient fast-start technology available. The first of the turbines began commercial operation in 2006 in South Dakota. At present, only 11 plants operate LMS100 turbines. The Stratford Power Station is the first such power station in Oceania.

Also in the Oceania region, two projects are being executed at Kwinana Power Station in Western Australia by Verve Energy (Perth, Australia) that will employ the LMS100 turbine generators. The projects entail construction of four of the units and have a combined total investment value (TIV) of $440 million. Two units will be completed in the first half of 2012, while first-fire of the remaining two units is planned for March 2015.

Western Australia's peak energy use is primarily driven by the use of air conditioners in the summer, which is in contrast to New Zealand's winter peak.

Contact Energy plans to install two additional peaking units on the North Island of New Zealand. The company is considering sites in New Plymouth, Taranaki and Auckland. However, Taranaki most likely will be the choice. The LMS100 generators, which can go from a cold start to full load within 10 minutes, are being strongly considered, but another similar turbine may be chosen.

Contact Energy is currently reviewing front-end design firms and expects to make a selection within 30 days. The company plans to complete permitting and approval early next year and release bid documents to potential engineering, procurement and construction firms in the second quarter of 2011. Requests for quotations will be released shortly thereafter. Based on construction starting in June 2011, completion is targeted for the end of 2012.

Peaking units such as the LMS100 gas turbine generators play an important role in providing transmission networks with a secure supply of electricity during times of peak energy usage, or during periods of low output from renewable energy sources such as wind and hydro power.

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