NSW: Gas fired power plant opens in the Illawarra
18 Mar 2009 12:29 PM
SYDNEY, March 18 AAP - A gas-fired power station that produces 65 per cent less greenhouse emissions than one powered by coal has been officially opened on the NSW south coast.
The $430 million Tallawarra Power Station has been built just south of Wollongong on the site of the former coal-fired Pacific Power generator.
Premier Nathan Rees officially opened the plant on Wednesday, saying it was the Illawarra's first "green power station" and would produce enough electricity to power about 200,000 homes.
"That makes it one of Australia's most efficient gas-fired power stations," Mr Rees said.
He said the extra generating capacity provided by the plant would boost the state's electricity supplies and reduce the risk of power shortages at a time when demand was increasing.
Construction began on Tallawarra in November 2006 and the power station began commercial operation in January this year.
