Shaw River Power Station Project
Santos is proposing to develop a staged (up to a nominal 1500 mega watts/MW) base load combined cycle, gas-fired power station near Orford in western Victoria. The proposal will also involve the development of an approximately 105 kilometre underground gas transmission pipeline near Port Campbell and is planned to come into service around 2012.
It will initially generate up to 500 MW of electricity for sale to the national electricity market to meet rising demand in Victoria and South Australia. Second and third stages, each with a further capability of up to 500 MW, will be added as demand for electricity increases.
The proposed power station uses proven technology and will produce significantly lower carbon emissions (up to 70% less) and use less than 1% of the water per megawatt hour compared with traditional wet cooled brown coal fired power stations.
>> Download the Santos ASX/News Announcement about the Shaw River Power Station Project
>> Download the Frequently Asked Questions about the Shaw River Power Station Project
Planning for the proposed power station is underway. On 7 November 2008 the Victorian Minister for Planning confirmed that an Environmental Effects Statement (EES) is required for the proposed development.
A very important part of the EES process is stakeholder engagement and community consultation. Santos is committed to ensuring that stakeholders, surrounding communities and others interested in the development are kept informed, through:
- information bulletins, published periodically, outlining key project issues and information
- an information hotline (freecall 1800 736 113)
- this website www.shawriverpowerstation.com.au which will include project updates and copies of the information bulletin
- an email address for enquiries: info@shawriverpowerstation.com.au
- information sessions and public displays in towns and communities in the area.
The first round of community consultations occurred during September 2008. A total of 270 people attended the displays in Orford, Port Fairy, Koroit, Warrnambool, Wangoom, Naringal, Nullaware, Macarthur, Mailors Flat and Port Campbell
While most of the feedback from the surrounding community was positive, there were concerns from local residents about the potential impact of the proposal on noise and air emissions, particularly those in the Macarthur, Orford region.
Currently Santos’ lead environmental consultant has engaged specialist air and noise consultants to undertake air quality and noise modelling as part of the EES. Noise and air quality models are based on site specific information including topographic and meteorological data, and information about emissions from the proposed power station and associated infrastructure.
The assessments will be carried out in accordance with methods endorsed by the Victorian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).
Once the project is operational it will be required to meet EPA criteria for both noise and air emissions and Shaw River Power Station will be required to monitor and publicly report on such emissions.