Significant interest in Wallerawang site

Australian utility EnergyAustralia has received significant interest from businesses keen to use the site of the retired Wallerawang coal-fired power plant. According to the company, it received 14 expressions of interest from local, national and international businesses.

“We think the site can accommodate a range of potential new industries,” said EnergyAustralia Executive – Energy, Mark Collette. “It’s clear from the responses we received that business sees some great potential too.”

Collette added that all of the expressions of interest sought to utilise the site’s existing infrastructure, which includes heavy-lift crane facilities, a private railway connected to the main western railway and space for new buildings.

EnergyAustralia will now assess the proposals for potential economic benefit to the region, logistical viability and compatability with ongoing rehabilitation works.

If a viable alternate use is found for the site, the company hopes to have an agreement in place by the end of the year.

“The aim of this process is to arrive at an outcome that’s good for the community, a new business proponent and EnergyAustralia. We have a long way to go but the keen interest in the EOI process is an encouraging start,” Collette concluded.

Closed in 2014, the plant is located 150 km west of Sydney. Along with the nearby Mt Piper power plant, the Wallerawang plant was acquired by EnergyAustralia from the New South Wales government in September 2013.

Edited by Jonathan Rowland.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/power/18082016/significant-interest-in-wallerawang-site-2016-2260/