Coal power fears aired

COAL industry proponents are concerned that they are being squeezed out of Western Power’s latest request for a 300 megawatt base load generator.

Industry players fear the 36-month timeframe Western Power has allowed for the plant’s construction is not long enough to take into account the environmental approvals a coal-fired power station would need.

Past experience shows that at least 12 months needs to be allowed for such approvals.

Any coal-fired power station would most likely be built at Collie. Other issues to be considered include the availability of water.    While coal has often been seen as the fuel for base load, new combined cycle gas technology has made gas more economical.

Not that things are looking so bright on the gas side of the power procurement debate, with concerns over whether enough gas can be brought down the Dampier to Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline.

A Western Power spokesman said the utility had allowed enough time in the process for all environmental and other approvals to be obtained.

“The Environmental Protection Authority has already given in-principle approval for three sites identified by Western Power as possible sites for the new power station – Collie, Kemerton and Kwinana. “Of course this in-principle approval is subject to final project environmental review in the final bid stage,” he said.

Wesfarmers Energy and Griffin Energy have both indicated their interest in the contract.

Alinta will not be putting in a bid for the base-load plant.