NEWS
$98M MAINTENANCE WORKS COMPLETED
at Loy Yang Power Station
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GL Loy Yang has completed $98 million maintenance works on the power station, including a major turbine and generator overhaul. Loy Yang Power Station’s Unit 3 and the mine’s Dredger 15 were successfully returned to service following upgrades and maintenance completed by more than 1,000 contractors over approximately eight weeks. AGL Chief Operating Officer, Markus Brokhof, said the maintenance works were crucial in ensuring energy reliability ahead of summer. “The teams have faced some unique and challenging circumstances, with the Latrobe Valley experiencing some of the most severe weather it has seen in decades while also managing the ongoing impacts of the pandemic,” Mr Brokhof said. “Given the challenges, we’re pleased that we have been able to employ hundreds of contractors from our local community,
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bringing a much-needed boost to the region after the last 18 months. “Everyone involved has done an excellent job at managing the obstacles which will allow for efficient and reliable operations into the future.” AGL Loy Yang General Manager, Christo van Niekerk, said the works included inspections and maintenance works on a boiler, gas pass, cooling water and electrical plants. “We also utilised new, innovative technology called ‘HoloLens’ to conduct critical technical works under remote supervision,” Mr van Niekerk said. “This new technology saved time and reduced the safety risk that faces our people every day. “I want to thank all our employees and contractors who have ensured safety remained the number one priority throughout the outage.”
$14 MILLION FOR GREATER
MEANDER IRRIGATION SCHEME
$14 million upgrade to Tasmania’s Greater Meander Irrigation Scheme Augmentation – including pump upgrades – is expected to deliver reduced costs to irrigators and farmers. The upgrades will produce more than 11,000ML of additional, high-surety irrigation water to the 28,800ML Greater Meander Scheme. The Federal Government will provide $5 million for the scheme as part of the $108 million National Water Grid Connections funding pathway. Assistant Minister for Industry Development and Senator for Tasmania, Jonno Duniam, said the National Water Grid Connections is about delivering short-term economic stimulus through small-scale projects. “This important project will convert open supply channels to new and extended pipelines,” Mr Duniam said. “This will help to provide an additional 11,000ML of water for irrigators in the area, which will deliver huge benefits for agriculture in this region. “It is part of a $20 million federal commitment under this funding pathway for Tasmanian projects to improve water reliability and efficiency across the state.” The Tasmanian Government has allocated $2 million toward the upgrade of the Meander mini-hydro power station along with an additional $3.5 million for solar upgrades across a number of other schemes. A further $7 million will be contributed from the sale of new water entitlements. Tasmanian Primary Industries and Water Minister, Guy Barnett, said the Tasmanian Government welcomes federal funding for water projects in Tasmania under the National Water Grid Connections funding pathway initiative. “The Tasmanian Government is on track to deliver our ambitious target to grow the farm gate value of agriculture pump industry | Summer 2022 | Issue 38
to ten billion by 2050 and irrigation is an integral part of that strategy,” Mr Barnett said. “The Greater Meander Scheme is a great example of the Tasmanian and Australian Governments partnering with farmers to deliver water at a reduced cost by generating renewable energy, giving great water surety to farmers and also contributing to better river health.” The works, including pipeline extensions, converting riparian flow to piped water, intake screen and pump upgrades and the installation of solar power plants to pump stations, will result in an additional high-surety irrigation water being delivered to farmers and reduced costs to irrigators.
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