Verve Energy and the Gas Crisis

Verve Energy is continuing to meet electricity demand and keep the lights on during the gas crisis which was brought about by an explosion at Varanus Island.

The pressure on Verve Energy generating plant eased today with the return from planned maintenance of the 240MW gas fired Cockburn Power Station. Gas for Cockburn has been diverted from less-efficient gas turbines which can also burn diesel if required.

Cockburn was one of three of our generating units out of service for planned maintenance. Unfortunately, there was unforeseen damage to another big unit. Through all of this, we are still in business. We are balancing our fuel use – coal, gas and diesel - to keep our power stations operational and producing electricity for householders and businesses.

Verve Energy is participating in a working group convened by the Premier to best manage the gas disruption crisis and we will continue to look for every opportunity to alleviate the pressures put on WA due to the gas shortage.

Significant maintenance at our power stations is undertaken during the autumn, winter and spring off-peak periods to ensure that plant is fully available for the summer peak demand period. This work is being fast-tracked where possible, without compromising safety or operational security.

A 200MW unit at Muja Power Station, called M7, is being progressively brought back into service over the next few weeks. By mid July 100MW of M7 capacity will be available and full capacity by the end of July.

This weekend, a unit at Kwinana Power Station, K1 (110MW) will be fired up and is expected to be fully operational by early next week.

Collie Power Station (330MW) was taken out of service due to damage to turbine blades. Spare parts from Germany are currently being installed. The power station is expected to be brought back into service towards the end of July.

To free up gas for Varanus Island customers and as a back-up for the state’s electricity supply, we are returning to Muja AB to service. This section of Muja Power Station was decommissioned last year.

Three of the four Muja AB units will be recommissioned. The fourth unit which is not considered operable will be used for spare parts.

The first 60MW unit will take about four weeks to be operational. The second and third units will be available two or three weeks later.

These units will continue to be made available until the current gas crisis is over, summer peak has passed and the new generators in the market are commissioned and contributing electricity into the system.

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