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New coal projects in WA
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Background
The Environment Protection Authority has noted that WA's annual greenhouse gas emissions were 76.3 Mt in 2007, with an extra 20 Mt to be added from approved projects, and another 36 Mt if proposals currently being assessed are approved and constructed. This would bring the state’s total yearly emissions to 133 Mtpa, at a time when Australia should be aiming to bring its emissions as close to zero as possible by 2020.
In July 2010, WA environment minister Donna Faragher announced approval for five new coal-fired power stations. The EPA has recommended conditional approval for a further project (a coal-to-urea plant); Faragher has yet to announce a decision.
In the same month, mining company LDO announced plans to open a coal mine in Margaret River, sparking deep community opposition.
REFERENCES
Bluewaters Power Station Expansion, Phase III and Phase IV, Collie. Report and Recommendations of the Environment Protection Authority. Report 1349, March 2010. http://www.epa.wa.gov.au/docs/1349/Rep1349Blue3_4PER8310.pdf accessed 2-9-2010.
Muja A & B Power Station Refurbishment
Where: approx 22 km east of Collie, adjacent to the existing Muja C&D power plants.
What: Four 60MW coal-fired power generating units, built between 1966-69. They were closed in 2007 because of its high cost, poor mechanical condition and poor environmental performance. Part of Muja B was briefly re-commissioned during WA’s power crisis after the Varanus Island explosion in 2008, and closed again in 2009. The proposal to refurbish Muja A&B and bring it back into operation was not subject to the full EPA assessment (a Public Environmental Review). The environment minister dismissed the appeals against this decision, against the recommendation of the Appeals Convenor. The minister’s report said, “decisions on the design, implementation and timing of the regulation of greenhouse emissions are matters for the Australian Parliament.” The plants are intended to operate for 15 years. Refurbishment work is underway and due for completion by late 2012.
Who: Vinalco Energy, a joint venture between government-owned power generator Verve Energy and private engineering firm Inalco, an affiliate of the Geelong-based Kempe group of companies, which also provide services to International Power’s Hazelwood – Australia’s dirtiest coal-fired power station.
Projected annual greenhouse gas emissions from operation: 1 million tonnes of CO2
Cost: Up to $100 million to be contributed by Inalco; existing plant and equipment contributed by Verve.
REFERENCES
http://www.kempe.com.au/power_generation.html
Parliament of WA, Hansard 20 May 2009, p4232-4233.
https://secure.dec.wa.gov.au/appeals/documents/307-309_AC_Report_25Feb10.pdf
Bluewaters 3 & 4
Where: Coolongatta Industrial Estate, about 4.5km northeast of Collie, adjacent to the existing Bluewaters 1&2 power plants.
What: two new 208 MW coal-fired power plants. Planned for completion in 2013 and 2015.
Who: Griffin Energy, a subsidiary of Ric Stowe’s bust Griffin Coal. Griffin Energy’s Bluewaters 1&2 are up for sale, as part of the break-up of the empire, to cover debts estimated at up to $2 billion.
Projected annual greenhouse gas emissions from operation: 3.1 million tonnes of CO2-e
Cost: $800million
Employment: Construction: 600; Operation: 30
REFERENCES
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/business/collapse-snares-griffin-energy-20100221-onv2.html
http://griffinenergy.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=310#306
http://www.galaxyresources.com.au/documents/ProspectMagazine010609-Galaxy_000.pdf
Coolimba power plant
Where: about 15 km south-west of Eneabba
What: a 450 megawatt (MW) coal-fired base-load generation plant consisting of three 150 MW subcritical steam turbine generating units and a 358 MW natural gas-fired peaking-load generation plant consisting of two 179 MW open cycle gas turbine (OCGT) generating units, all with an expected operating life of 30 years. Operation due to commence 2013. The coal will come from the Central West Coal mine.
Who: Aviva Corporation and energy multinational AES.
Estimated annual greenhouse gas emissions: 4.2 million tonnes of CO2-e
Cost: $1 billion.
Employment: Construction: 600: Operation: 100
REFERENCES
http://www.galaxyresources.com.au/documents/ProspectMagazine010609-Galaxy_000.pdf
http://www.aes.com/aes/index?page=about_us
Perdaman Coal-to-Urea Plant
Where: Shotts Industrial Park, 7.5km east of Collie.
What: Coal-to-urea plant, converting coal from Griffin to gas then urea fertiliser, to be transported by rail to Bunbury Port for export, mainly to India. Projected annual production of 2.1 million tonnes of urea from 2.7 million tonnes of coal. The first shipment of urea is planned for 2013.
Who: Perdaman Chemicals and Fertilisers, using coal from Griffin Coal.
Estimated annual greenhouse gas emissions: 3.4 million tonnes CO2
Cost: $3.7billion
Employment: Construction: 1500; Operation: 200
REFERENCES
http://www.epa.wa.gov.au/docs/1358/Rep1358PerdamanPER10510.pdf
http://www.galaxyresources.com.au/documents/ProspectMagazine010609-Galaxy_000.pdf
Margaret River Coal Mine
Where: Osmington Rd, north-west of Margaret River
What: Underground coal mine 100-850m deep passing through the Leederville aquifer.
Coal will be of medium quality, the kind used in steel making. The coal will be trucked to Capel for washing and then shipped through the Bunbury port to India and Asia.
Who: LD Operations developing the mine for investors of the Vasse Coal Mining Project.
Annual production: 1.2Mt of coal initially and 20-25 year life span
Estimated annual greenhouse gas emissions: Not known for sure, as there hasn't been a formal assessment. But burning a tonne of black coal produces 2.4 tonnes of greenhouse gases, and coal mining also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions through the fuel used in mining operations, coal-seam methane released as the coal is extracted, energy used in processing and transportation.
Risks and Concerns: Contamination of drinking water supply, subsidence and changes to the Margaret River catchment area and hydrology, increased traffic due to trucking of coal, permanent damage to the iconic pristine environment of the Margaret River area.
REFERENCES
http://www.nocoalitionmargaretriver.com
http://nonewcoal.greens.org.au/coal/australian-coal-exports-and-world-consumption
http://nonewcoal.greens.org.au/publications/greenhouse-gases/impact-of-coal-mining-on-climate-change
