ASX/Media Release
19 January 2009
Origin’s Uranquinty Power Station comes online
Four gas turbines commence commercial operation
New South Wales electricity supply received a significant boost last week when Origin’s 640MW gas-fired Uranquinty
Power Station became fully operational. The peaking power station in the State’s south-west commenced commercial
operations just as New South Wales was experiencing extreme summer temperatures and record demand conditions.
Origin announced in July 2008 that it had acquired Uranquinty Power station for $700m from Babcock and Brown Power. In line with plan, all four of the station’s 160MW open cycle gas turbine (OCGT) units are now online.
Origin’s Executive General Manager for Major Development Projects, Andrew Stock, said, “The Uranquinty Power Station will play a critical role in meeting New South Wales’ future power needs.
“Gas-fired plant emits significantly fewer emissions than coal and has a large role to play in moving Australia toward a lower-carbon future. Uranquinty is just one in a series of investments being made by Origin to increase our gas-fired generating capacity.”
As part of the project, two 132kV transmission lines adjacent to the site have been re-constructed within existing easements from the Power Station to the Wagga Wagga sub-station (17km).
The Uranquinty Power Station will employ eight people to operate the facility. 430 people were employed on site during construction, 90 of these from the local area around Wagga Wagga in New South Wales.
For further information please contact:
Media
Tim Scott
Group Manager Media Relations and Reporting
Ph: 02 8345 5306
Mobile: 0428 964 820
Investors
Chris Giaouris
Manager Investor Communications
Ph: 02 8345 5556
Mobile: 0417 223 106
About Origin Energy
Origin Energy is Australasia's leading integrated energy company focused on gas and oil exploration and production, power generation and energy retailing.
Listed in the ASX top 20 the company has approximately 4,000 employees, is a leading producer of gas in eastern Australia, is the largest owner and developer of gas-fired electricity generation in Australia and is a leading wholesaler and retailer of energy. The company services more than 3.5 million electricity, natural gas and LPG customers across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. Origin's strategic positioning and portfolio of assets provide flexibility, stability and significant opportunities for growth in the ever changing energy industry. Through Australia Pacific LNG, its 50:50 incorporated joint venture with ConocoPhillips, Origin is developing Australia's largest CSG to LNG project based on Australia's largest CSG reserves base.
In New Zealand, Origin is the major shareholder in Contact Energy, the country's leading integrated energy company, operating geothermal, thermal and hydro generation facilities and servicing electricity, gas and LPG customers across both the North and South islands. Origin also operates several oil and gas projects in New Zealand and is one of the largest holders of petroleum exploration acreage in the country.
Origin has a strong focus on ensuring the sustainability of its operations, is the largest green energy retailer in Australia and has significant investments in renewable energy technologies.
For more information go to www.originenergy.com.au
