Wesfarmers Ltd subsidiary Energy Generation Pty Ltd, formerly StateWest Power, has been selected as the preferred bidder for five new power stations in Aboriginal communities in the Kimberley region.
Wesfarmers Ltd subsidiary Energy Generation Pty Ltd, formerly StateWest Power, has been selected as the preferred bidder for five new power stations in Aboriginal communities in the Kimberley region.
Energy Generation, which specialises in electricity supply to mining operations and regional towns, will build, own and operate the power stations.
Wesfarmers' recent half-year results announcement said Energy Generation, which currently generates electricity in six Midwest towns, had achieved good progress towards completion of three new power stations at Gascoyne Junction, Laverton and Menzies and also in expanding the power station near the Hill 50 gold mine.
The latest good news follows Energy Generation being selected by Western Power as the preferred bidder to build a new 15 megawatt gas-fuelled power station in Carnarvon.
Full government announcement below:
Western Australian company Energy Generation Pty Ltd has been chosen as the preferred bidder to build, own and operate new power stations in five remote Aboriginal communities in the Kimberley.
Energy Minister Francis Logan said the new stations would be built in Ardyaloon, Beagle Bay, Bidyadanga, Djarindjin/Lombadina and Warmun, as part of the Aboriginal and Remote Communities Power Supply Project (ARCPSP).
Mr Logan said ARCPSP was a joint State and Federal Government initiative to improve power supplies to large Aboriginal communities by replacing ageing power stations, upgrading networks and retailing electricity at a uniform tariff.
"Consumers will receive a regularised power supply at prices and standards comparable to mainstream towns of similar size and geographic location," he said.
"This is an important step forward in addressing the safety, reliability and affordability of power in Aboriginal communities."
The Minister said three bids had been received for the construction project.
He said each one was evaluated on the basis of financial soundness, demonstrated experience and expertise in similar projects, proven record of proposed technology and commitment to developing good community relations.
Energy Generation is an independent power producer specialising in electricity supply to mining operations and regional towns.
The Wesfarmers-owned company already generates electricity in six Midwest towns and is currently building new power stations at Marble Bar, Nullagine, Menzies, Laverton and Gascoyne Junction.
Energy Generation will build, own and operate the five new power stations and will sell electricity to Western Power Regional, who will retail the electricity to households and businesses within the communities at the uniform tariff.
Construction is expected to begin by the middle of the year and be operational in 2
