$75 million investment in Alice Springs power upgrades

The Northern Territory government has committed $75 million towards upgrading power facilities at Owen Springs Power Station in Alice Springs.

Chief Minister, Adam Giles, said the expansion will create 49 direct full time jobs in Alice Springs.

"This is an important investment in essential services in Alice Springs that will increase the reliability and efficiency of power supply and put further downward pressure on electricity prices," Giles said.

"The Ron Goodin Power Station is at the end of its useful life and needs to be retired and the Owen Springs Power Station located 26km outside of Alice Springs is the appropriate location to replace that capacity.”

The power station plan will also envision the retirement of the Ron Goodin Power Station at the end of 2017.

Northern Territory Treasurer, David Tollner, said this expansion will give Alice Springs residents greater confidence in power prices over the coming years.

"Once works are complete we will see a significant reduction in maintenance and operating costs, and a reduction in noise and carbon emissions," Tollner said.

"These efficiencies should also see wholesale electricity price reductions of around 15-20%."

Clarke Energy has been contracted to will supply and install the high efficiency Jenbacher reciprocating gas engine generators as part of the upgrade.

Works at the plant are due to start this month and be commissioned by December 2017.

View All »