Overview
Hunter Valley is a 50 MW gas power plant in New South Wales, Australia, operated by Macquarie Generation. It supplies electricity to the regional grid.
Hunter Valley is a gas-fired power generation facility located in New South Wales, Australia. With a capacity of 50 MW, it is a relatively small-scale plant within the Australian energy sector, contributing to the state's electricity supply. The facility is owned and operated by Macquarie Generation, a key player in the region's power market. The plant operates on natural gas, a fuel source that produces lower CO2 emissions compared to coal-fired generation. In Australia, gas power plants like Hunter Valley are subject to national emission standards and state-level environmental regulations. Hunter Valley plays a role in meeting local electricity demand and supporting grid stability in the Hunter region. Its gas-fired operation offers flexibility to complement renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, which are increasingly prevalent in Australia. The plant's environmental footprint is moderated by its fuel choice and modest capacity.
Environmental context
The Hunter Valley region is known for its coal mining and heavy industry, but this gas plant offers a lower-emission alternative. Gas-fired generation produces fewer pollutants like SOx and NOx compared to coal, and its CO2 intensity is roughly half that of coal. The plant's location in a populated area necessitates compliance with Australian air quality standards. Its moderate capacity limits local environmental impact, though water use for cooling may be a consideration in this dry region.
Frequently asked questions
The Hunter Valley gas power plant is located in New South Wales, Australia, near the coordinates 32.3893° S, 150.9664° E.
The Hunter Valley power plant has a capacity of 50 megawatts (MW), making it a small-scale gas-fired facility.
The Hunter Valley gas power plant is owned and operated by Macquarie Generation, a major electricity generator in New South Wales.
Gas power plants in Australia must comply with the National Environment Protection Measures (NEPM) for air quality and state-level regulations. The facility's emissions of CO2, NOx, and SOx are regulated under these frameworks.
The Hunter Valley plant provides flexible, dispatchable power to the New South Wales grid, helping to balance intermittent renewable sources like wind and solar.