Genesis Energy ignites energy efficient powerhouse

Genesis Energy ignites energy efficient powerhouse

Genesis Energy’s Energy Efficiency Enhancement Project, Huntly e3p, came to life early this week with the first firing of its gas turbine.

The first firing was followed today (2 February) by the synchronisation of the 385MW gas turbine to the national electricity grid, which sees all electricity produced by the plant being used to power businesses and homes.

Huntly e3p is now in its commissioning phase which involves a 30-day reliability run. The plant is expected to be fully operational by winter of 2007.

“It is timely for Huntly e3p to be coming on stream now,” said Murray Jackson, Chief Executive, Genesis Energy. “Winter of 2006 saw an unprecedented demand for electricity and e3p will ensure security of supply right through 2007.

“Genesis Energy is committed to generating responsibly and this means taking into account what impact our operations have on our environment,” said Mr Jackson. “Huntly e3p will reduce Genesis Energy’s carbon footprint by displacing higher CO2 emitting coal-fired generation.”

Genesis Energy’s investment of $520 million in Huntly e3p has further diversified the company’s generation portfolio which includes Huntly Power Station, the Tongariro Hydro and Waikaremoana Power Schemes in the Central North Island and Hau Nui wind farm in the Wairarapa.

Huntly e3p is the largest new power station to be built in New Zealand since 1996 and will go a long way towards meeting the annual growth in national demand for electricity.

The combined cycle gas turbine is highly efficient and is fuelled on natural gas sourced from the on-shore and off-shore gas fields of Taranaki. Genesis Energy has a wide portfolio of gas supply contracts for e3p and, in time, the supply for the new plant will include the Kupe Gas Project, currently in development in Taranaki.

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