ALL major construction work is complete at Contact Energy's Stratford Peaker Plant site and the next step of bringing the new power station into service, commissioning, is now under way.
People living or working close to the plant may notice different noises coming from the plant during the commissioning process, butthey should not be concerned, says Jeremy Seed from Contact.
Commissioning a plant involves checking, tuning and testing every part of the plant to ensure that it performs as it should. This must be completed before the power station enters commercial operation.
A peaker plant is designed to operate as an alternative source of electricity when demand is very high, there is no wind to power wind farms or the hydro lakes are low. The Stratford Peaker Plant uses two General Electric LMS100 gas turbines, the latest design of gas turbine and the first of their type to be installed in Australasia.
The turbines are capable of reaching full capacity from a cold start in ten minutes and once the plant is operational it will be capable of generating enough electricity to power approximately 200,000 average homes.
Contact has spent more than $4 million on ensuring the plant and equipment will operate within the local environmental compliance limits and will have minimal impact on the environment and the Stratford community.
If you live near the Stratford Peaker Plant and have any questions, please contact Ian Roberts on 027 443 5938.
