Katherine Power Station Explained

Katherine Power Station
Coordinates:-14.4589°N 132.2444°W
Country:Australia
Location:Katherine
Status:O
Commissioned:1987
Owner:Territory Generation
Operator:Territory Generation
Th Fuel Primary:Natural gas
Th Fuel Secondary:Diesel
Ps Units Operational:4
Ps Electrical Capacity:36.5

Katherine Power Station is a natural gas-fired power station in the Northern Territory of Australia located at Cossack near the town of Katherine. The power station is owned and operated by Territory Generation and supplies the Darwin-Katherine Interconnected System.[1] The dual-fuel station can also independently provide power to Katherine in the event of disruptions across the regional grid, such as when gas supply was interrupted to Channel Island Power Station near Darwin during 2014. The generators in Katherine were able to use a back up supply of diesel fuel to minimise blackouts in the town.[2]

The power station was commissioned in 1987 with three generators providing a total capacity of 24.5 MW. A fourth unit was added in 2012, increasing this to 36.5 MW. The older units are planned to be decommissioned in 2026–27, however by this time it is expected that the Eni group's 25 MW solar farm north of the town will be fully operational.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Our Power Stations. Territory Generation. 19 January 2022.
  2. Web site: Essential Services Minister praises performance of Katherine power station during NT blackouts. Katherine Times. Australian Community Media. 17 September 2014.
  3. Web site: 2020 NT Electricity Outlook Report. Utilities Commission of the Northern Territory. 19 January 2022.