Construction has begun today on The Griffin Group's new coal-fired power station, Bluewaters 1, near Collie.
Construction has begun today on The Griffin Group's new coal-fired power station, Bluewaters 1, near Collie.
At a cost of around $400 million, Bluewaters 1 will employ a peak construction workforce of more than 600 people and 50 people long term when in operation. It will also help underpin the future of coal mining in Collie.
Griffin Executive General Manager Business Development Frederik Suhren said the construction of the 208MW power station was a direct response to the State Government's deregulation of the WA energy market and formed an integral part of Griffin's commitment to providing economical, sustainable and secure energy solutions.
"Bluewaters 1 will provide a new source of reliable, affordable power and will play a significant role in securing the economic future of the State's coal industry," Mr Suhren said.
"It will encourage industrial and community development in the South West Region and help avoid over reliance on a single gas pipeline."
Energy Minister Francis Logan said the development of Bluewaters 1 was a significant milestone, which would bring with it benefits for the coal industry and the wider community.
"Griffin's new power station is the first coal-fired power station to be constructed in Western Australia since 1999," he said.
"It will ensure that coal continues to be an important energy source towards meeting the State's growing demand for electricity.
The Minister said projects such as Griffin's Bluewaters 1 demonstrated that the reform program was delivering results and providing more opportunities to increase generation capacity in the South-West.
"Coal faces future challenges, particularly in terms of changing environmental expectations and we are working with the coal industry to identify opportunities for new and diverse markets for coal, such as exports and char," Mr Logan said.
Mitsui & Co. Ltd will manage the engineering, procurement and construction of the BWI Power Station plant in partnership with subcontractor IHI.