Cockburn

Cockburn Power Station uses combined-cycle technology which features capturing exhaust heat from a gas turbine and using the heat to drive a steam turbine.

Combined cycle gas turbine technology is used widely and reliably in other parts of the world, but Cockburn Power Station was the first such project in Western Australia.

The efficiency of this process is better than 50% compared with less than 40% from the gas turbine operating on its own. The technology allows for the production of 240MW of electricity, rather than 160MW from a gas turbine operating on its own.

There are environmental benefits from this process too, with a significant reduction in emissions. 

The plant, with its sophisticated electronic systems, is highly automated and needs a very small team to look after it. 

Cockburn Power Station, which was built in 2003, is located immediately south of the existing Kwinana Power Station. Both stations supply power to the state's south west and the metropolitan area.

The location of Kwinana and Cockburn power stations is of strategic importance to the Verve Energy due to access to established transmission infrastructure and proximity to cooling water from the ocean and natural gas fuel supply pipelines.