Herons Creek power proposal derailed by power line upgrade

Dr Kaye said: "International Power should be told to abandon the project which no longer makes sense.
 
"They based their proposal in part on TransGrid's August 2006 call for proposals for new generation proposals on the Mid North Coast to alleviate looming supply constraints at peak times.
 
"TransGrid has clearly rejected the Herons Creek development in favour of building a stronger transmission system.
 
"Now that they have called for tenders to build a double circuit 132 kV power line from Kempsey to Port Macquarie to replace the existing single line there is no need for local generation.
 
"The new line will be completed by early June 2010.
 
"At peak times, TransGrid will be able to wheel power into the Port Macquarie and Camden Haven districts from the backbone transmission system via Coffs Harbour and Armidale.
 
"International Power's proposal is now completely redundant. The soaring cost of diesel fuel will mean that it will not be able to compete against gas turbines in the Hunter valley and in northern NSW that will be able to get their power into the Mid North Coast along TransGrid's upgraded circuits.
 
"When I questioned Energy Minister Ian Macdonald about the proposal in parliament last week he was totally unaware of the transmission project.
 
"His lack of understanding of the energy industry is placing the residents of the Camden Haven at risk of having a polluting and noisy power station in their backyards with no benefit to the state's power system.
 
"It is time the Iemma government pulled the plug on this unnecessary and damaging proposal before it is too late," Dr Kaye said.
 
For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455