Mortlake Power Station project
Key Facts:
- 550 MW gas-fired open cycle power station currently under construction
- Involves construction of an 83km underground natural gas transmission pipeline
- Option to further expand the power station in the future
- Once fully operational, Mortlake expects to employ up to 10 full time staff
- Allows Origin to meet growing electricity demand in Victoria
Introduction
The Mortlake Power Station Project is a 550 MW gas-fired power station near Mortlake in South-western Victoria. The Origin Board approved construction of Project on 4 July 2008.
Expected to be completed in the first half of 2011, the open cycle power station will supply peaking power to Victorian homes in times of high electricity demand. The project also involves construction of a dedicated 83km gas pipeline which is completed and will be ready for commissioning to meet the power station’s needs. Ongoing progress with the Mortlake Power Station can be viewed here.
Origin has the option to further develop the Mortlake Power Station in the future and has designed the facility to enable its future conversion to a highly efficient combined cycle plant.
History
After five years of community consultation, developing the environmental effects statement and working through the formal approvals process, on 4 July 2008 the Origin Board announced the investment decision to proceed with construction of the 550 MW Mortlake Power Station.
Location
The power station is located 12 km west of the township of Mortlake in South-western Victoria (approximately 200 km west of Melbourne.) The site was chosen due to a range of factors, including its access to the 500kV high voltage electricity transmission line, well serviced state highways and roads, the suitability of the land for construction and its proximity to Origin’s gas reserves in the offshore Otway Basin.
Lower emission gas-fired power generation
Mortlake Power Station will use natural gas to operate its turbines. The 550 MW open cycle power station will produce significantly less carbon emissions than typical coal-fired power stations.
The Mortlake site also has approval to expand its current capacity in the future, providing Origin with portfolio flexibility to meet growing energy demand in Victoria. Furthermore the power station has been designed to enable its future conversion to be a highly efficient combined cycle plant.
Powering Mortlake Power Station
Mortlake Power Station will be powered by natural gas. The gas will be sourced from Origin’s gas reserves in the Port Campbell area and processed at Origin’s Otway Gas Plant at Warre. From here, it will be transported via a dedicated 83km natural gas pipeline.
Figure: How the Power Station Works
Pipeline information
The Mortlake Power Station Project involved the construction of an 83km underground natural gas transmission pipeline, which runs through more than 80 properties and stretches through the Timboon, Brucknell, Garvoc and Terang districts. Along this route, some sites required horizontal direct drilling which bores underground to ensure the minimum environmental impact.
Pipeline facts
- Work began in February 2009
- Approximately 83 km long
- 508 mm in diameter
- Weighs over 11,000 tonnes
- Constructed in 18 m pipe lengths
- Can transport over 400 terajoules of natural gas per day
- Construction completed in March 2010
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