A multi-million dollar contract has been awarded to provide a substation upgrade solution for connecting the transmission grid to the new 150 megawatt (MW) combined cycle gas power station currently under construction in South Hedland (WA).
The contract was awarded to power and automation technology group, ABB. The upgraded substation will enable TransAlta’s new South Hedland Power Station (SHPS) to supply electricity to Fortescue Metals Group and Horizon Power, a state owned utility in the Pilbara. Once complete, the SHPS will be one of the most efficient in the region.
Currently the South Headland Temporary Generation plant installation, owned by Horizon Power, consists of a number of temporary open cycle gas turbine (OCGT) power generation units, associated equipment and 220 kV high voltage substation facilities. The existing facilities are to be augmented and integrated into the new permanent power generation and power export facilities to meet the operating requirements of the new TransAlta power station.
ABB will design, engineer, supply and commission the substation upgrade and provide the following equipment: air-insulated switchgear, 11/220 kV generator transformer, protection and substation automation modifications. Fitting out a new bay within the existing 220 kV switchyard to incorporate the new 11/220 kV generator transformer and associated infrastructure works forms part of the scope of works.
The substation augmentation project is scheduled for completion in early 2016.