Delay for Mortlake Power Station generator to return to service

interconnector, SA Power Networks, CitiPower, transgrid, western power, energy grid, Victoria, AER, DMIS, synergy, transmission

On Friday, November 29, Origin notified the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) there would be a slight delay in the return to service date of the Mortlake Power Station generating unit damaged by an electrical fault on July 8, 2019.

The unit is now expected to return to service on December 30, a delay of 10 days to the original advice provided to AEMO following the July incident. 

Originโ€™s executive general manager energy supply and operations, Greg Jarvis said, โ€œWeโ€™ve had crews working around the clock to return the damaged Mortlake power station generating unit to service.

Related article: New code to improve protections for solar and energy storage consumers

โ€œUnfortunately, inclement weather and delays in securing specialist commissioning technicians have impacted our schedule.

โ€œWe now expect to return the impacted Mortlake unit to service on Monday, December 30, 2019, in advance of the traditional peak summer electricity consumption period.โ€

Mortlake is a gas peaking power station and the impacted unit represents less than three per cent of Victoriaโ€™s total installed generation capacity.

Related article: AusNet Services sponsors EnergyLab’s Women in Clean Energy Fellowship

In July, a large explosion occurred at the power station due to an electrical fault, causing significant damage to one of the generating units.

AGL remains confident Loy Yang A will be back and running mid December.

Previous articleNew code to improve protections for solar and energy storage consumers
Next articleESC: Victorians on life support now have greater protection