Conversion of Kwinana Power Station from Oil to Coal Firing

During the construction of No. 6, however, it became a matter of concern that the winter peak loads in 1979-80 could not be met without substantial reduction in spinning reserve.

The Commission therefore decided to re-schedule the work associated with No. 5 to meet a 'steam to set' date of 1st February, 1979, thereby enabling the unit to be available during the winters of 1979 and 1980. This accelerated programme was made feasible by the completion of certain major civil works whilst the No. 5 unit was operating on oil and by removing it from service on the 1st November, 1977, for conversion prior to completion of unit 6.

In view of the complex nature of the conversion project and to assist with project management control, a project network diagram for each unit was prepared. Use of this management tool has been an important aid in completing the conversion of unit 6 ahead of schedule and maintaining the conversion of unit 5 on programme.

The original total project budget estimate based on costs as at December 1975 was $26 M but this was expected to escalate during construction to a final figure of $42 M in fact the final cost was $32 M.

The provision of coal handling, unloading and storage facilities, ash handling plant, electrostatic precipitators, civil works and major boiler component modification, in areas in which no allowance had originally been made for them, necessitated the adoption of unusual plant arrangements to circumvent severe space limitations.

A completely new set of environmental and town planning clearances were required, focusing on coal transport, handling and combustion, reduced sulphur oxide emissions and slightly increased nitrogen oxides emission. An environmental impact statement was proposed which included extensive consultation with the local government body concerned, the Kwinana Town Council, and a public open meeting arranged and chaired by that Council. This feature of the project contributes to its uniqueness and complexity along with the extreme difficulty of performing major civil works in confined spaces adjacent to operating plant, including energised 330 kV switchyards and transmission lines. The Kwinana project received an 'Engineering Excellence Award' from the Institution of Engineers Australia in 1980.

Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering