EnergyAustralia is still exploring the construction of a $700 million gas-fired power station near Marulan, despite residents’ longstanding objections to it.
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A complany spokesperson said yesterday that: “it is one option they are currently investigating to potentially fill capacity gaps in the future national electricity market.”
This statement came after questioning by the Goulburn Post, following a resident observing meetings being conducted on the 16-hectare site on Canyonleigh Rd at Brayton, recently.
EnergyAustralia proposed the project back in 2008.
Local resident action group – the Dairy Road Community Alliance has been up in arms against the proposal since its inception and want to know whether EnergyAustralia were are proceeding with it.
Dairy Road Community Alliance community member Ken McNally said they wanted a clear indication of the company’s intentions in relation to the project.
“The discussions we are having as a group is that we need an update on the power station issue and also on the sealing on Canyonleigh Rd, which was promised to us back in the early days when Transgrid put in the transformer,” Mr McNally said.
“This still has not happened. They have elevated the road and flood-proofed it but they have not sealed it.
“We want to know where it is at and whether or not they can still go ahead with it and what they are planning. There are more people living out here now than when it was originally proposed.
“We are also in the dark on their efforts at community consultation – we were under the impression they had five year’s approval, and must be getting is pretty close – so what’s happening?”
Meanwhile, An an EnergyAustralia spokesperson said yesterday they are “still assessing the gas-fired power station at Marulan as an option” but it could “only proceed with broad community support.”
“We’re assessing several good options for new generation capacity with the potential to ease the pressure on electricity prices, including gas-fired projects at Marulan and Tallawarra B (near Lake Illawarra), but we will find it difficult to proceed until there is clear and stable government policy,” the spokesperson said.
“Marulan and Tallawarra B already have development approvals, with combined capacity of more than 1000 MW. These projects are capable of responding quickly to fluctuations in demand and providing secure and affordable supply for large numbers of households and businesses across the state, and nationally.
“Both projects are in their early stages. To date we’ve focussed on economic viability, technical design and engineering. That work involves visiting sites from time to time.
“The Marulan permit expires at the end of October, 2019. The direction of government energy policy and the assessment and studies we do will help determine whether we apply for an extension.
“If these projects proceed beyond initial assessment, we will hold new information sessions, so the community can have its say. The reality is that projects like Marulan and Tallawarra B can only proceed with broad community support.
“If they proceed, the projects could be operating by 2022, when the 1800 MW-capacity Liddell power station will come out of the national electricity market.”
The site was chosen for its proximity to the existing high-voltage transmission network, (the electricity grid), as well as the Moomba-Sydney gas pipeline.