Wärtsilä to Power New 120 MW Plant in Kalgoorlie, Australia
Wärtsilä, a leader in energy technology, is set to provide engines and essential equipment for a new power plant in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia. This development comes under a contract with Zenith Energy Operations, an Independent Power Producer (IPP) in Australia. The power plant’s role is to enhance the energy supply for the Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines (KCGM), a major gold mining operation owned by Northern Star Resources Ltd. Wärtsilä confirmed the order in the fourth quarter of 2024, with energy production expected to commence in mid-2027, pending necessary approvals.
The new power plant, featuring flexible engine technology, will support Northern Star’s ongoing expansion at KCGM. Wärtsilä’s engines are designed for rapid start-up and possess grid balancing capacities, facilitating the integration of renewable energy sources like wind and solar. This plant also holds the potential for future connectivity to the South West Interconnected System (SWIS) grid in Kalgoorlie.
Simon Jelly, CTO at Zenith Energy, remarked, “Zenith Energy has enjoyed a strong and enduring partnership with Wärtsilä across several of our sites, and we look forward to continuing this collaboration at KCGM. Wärtsilä’s technology has consistently demonstrated high levels of reliability and efficiency, supported by excellent service performance. Northern Star has set clear decarbonisation objectives, and the flexibility of the Wärtsilä engines will be fundamental in enabling higher penetration of renewable energy. This will support a substantial reduction in overall emissions while ensuring the delivery of reliable power to the mine and potentially, in time, to the broader Kalgoorlie community.”
The scope of Wärtsilä’s supply includes ten Wärtsilä 31DF dual-fuel engines equipped with synchronous condenser capabilities, along with engineering, auxiliary modules, control systems, operator interface systems, and other critical auxiliary equipment.
The inclusion of synchronous condenser technology allows the generators to function independently of the engines, providing reactive power support and inertia when engine power is not required. This feature, combined with the engines’ balancing capabilities, enhances grid stability during high renewable energy inputs by improving voltage and frequency stability and short-circuit capacity.
Kari Punnonen, Energy Business Director for Australasia at Wärtsilä Energy, commented, “We have built a strong relationship with Zenith and are excited to support them as they strive to increase the utilisation of renewable energy in their operations. Our 31DF engine is highly efficient and reliable, and therefore ideally suited to this application, delivering the flexibility demanded with minimised emissions.”
Zenith Energy has a history of collaboration with Wärtsilä, having previously acquired three Wärtsilä 34DF dual-fuel engines, two Wärtsilä 34SG pure gas engines, and an energy storage system incorporating Wärtsilä’s Quantum modules and the GEMS Digital Energy Platform.
Wärtsilä Energy Overview
Wärtsilä Energy is a pioneer in the transition to renewable energy, offering advanced technologies and expertise to propel decarbonisation efforts. With a portfolio that includes flexible engine power plants, energy storage, and lifecycle services, Wärtsilä supports the sustainable energy landscape. The company boasts 79 GW of power plant capacity in 180 countries, with 18 GW under service agreements and over 125 energy storage systems.
www.wartsila.com/energy
About Wärtsilä
Wärtsilä is a global innovator in technologies and lifecycle solutions for marine and energy sectors. Committed to sustainable technology and services, Wärtsilä aids customers in enhancing environmental and economic performance. With a dedicated team of 17,800 professionals in over 280 locations across 79 countries, Wärtsilä is a driving force in the decarbonisation of industries worldwide. In 2023, its net sales reached EUR 6.0 billion, with the company listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.
www.wartsila.com
Original Story at dredgewire.com