OREANDA-NEWS. February 09, 2016. GE’s Distributed Power business (NYSE: GE) today announced that Clarke Energy, GE’s authorized distributor of Jenbacher gas engines, is supplying 10 of GE’s high-efficiency Jenbacher gas engines to Territory Generation for an upgrade at its existing Owen Springs power station facility as a key part of the Northern Territory Government of Australia’s A\\$75 million investment in Central Australia.

Clarke Energy’s successful turnkey engineering procurement and construction (EPC) will supply and install GE’s high-efficiency Jenbacher gas engines. This project, which is supporting an electricity cost-reduction drive, will provide an electrical output of more than 41 megawatts (MW), more than enough to power the town of Alice Springs, which will in turn help to increase the reliability and efficiency of power supplies and further reduce electricity costs.

The upgrade at the Owen Springs Power Station will expand the existing facility with 10 Jenbacher J624 gas reciprocating engines. Clarke Energy will execute a carefully planned program ensuring that integration of the works with the existing power station infrastructure is delivered safely and on time.

“GE’s proven, cost-effective gas engine technology is an excellent fit for Territory Generation’s needs in upgrading this facility,” said Greg Columbus, managing director, Clarke Energy. “After a rigorous government tender process, we look forward to providing safe, on-time and on-cost project delivery for Territory Generation. In addition to the EPC on the project, we will also provide a long-term maintenance agreement for parts and service on the equipment.”

In 2014, the Northern Territory Parliament of Australia implemented key reforms within the government-owned power generation authority. An outcome of the reform process was greater contestability to reduce the historically high cost of electricity paid by the Northern Territorians. This new business environment is driving local power corporations to find ways of reducing the operating costs of their power generation assets by adopting more fuel-efficient and reliable technologies.

“To help meet the new government reforms for cost reduction, Territory Generation has invested in a  major capital improvement project—upgrading our Owen Springs station facility,” said Tim Duignan, CEO, Territory Generation. “The high efficiency and reliability of GE’s Jenbacher gas engines combined with Clarke Energy’s vast EPC experience in the region were key reasons we chose them for this important project.”

The fundamental design of GE’s gas engines provides numerous benefits. These include increased operational efficiency, greater reliability, reduced maintenance costs and enhanced capability to operate on gases with lower calorific value or unusual composition such as coal seam and coal mine methane gas, biogas, landfill gas, flare gas, coke oven gas and syngas from gasification processes.

“GE’s Jenbacher J624 gas engines feature high electrical efficiency and are capable of providing seamless power delivery even when operating on varying fuel gas compositions such as those delivered to the Owen Springs Power station,” said Bart Simes, regional manager for GE’s Distributed Power business. “The low fuel consumption rates will help to mitigate the price of power and reduce carbon emissions in the Northern Territory.”

Territory Generation is the largest electricity producer in the Northern Territory, owning 582 MW of installed capacity and contracting an additional 40 MW from independent power producers for supply to its customers.

About Clarke Energy

Clarke Energy is a leader in the engineering design, installation and long term maintenance of gas engine-based power plants. The company is authorised sales and service provider for GE’s Jenbacher gas engines in 16 countries. Clarke Energy employs over 1000 staff and has over 4,400MW of Jenbacher generation equipment operating in its operational areas.

Clarke Energy in Australia

GE’s gas engines have been distributed by Clarke Energy in Australia since 1999. During this time, over 282 gas engines (525 MW) have been installed in Australia and New Zealand for a variety of industries such as mining, water, agriculture, oil and gas, manufacturing and cogeneration for commercial buildings.

Clarke Energy’s Australian Head Office, located in Adelaide, employs in excess of 60 people locally with another 80+ across all states of Australia and in New Zealand servicing the installed fleet. Locally it also houses a parts warehouse which is extensively stocked to service the growing reciprocating engine business.

www.clarke-energy.com

About GE’s Distributed Power Business

GE Power’s Distributed Power business is a leading provider of engines, power equipment and services focused on generating power at or near the point of use. Distributed Power offers a diverse product portfolio that includes highly efficient, fuel-flexible, industrial gas engines generating 100 kW to 10 MW of power for numerous industries globally. In addition, the business provides life cycle support for more than 35,000 gas engines worldwide to help you meet your business challenges and success metrics— anywhere and anytime. Backed by our authorised service providers in more than 170 countries, GE‘s global service network connects with you locally for rapid response to your service needs. GE’s Distributed Power business is headquartered in Jenbach, Austria.

About GE Power

GE Power is a world leader in power generation with deep domain expertise to help customers deliver electricity from a wide spectrum of fuel sources. We are transforming the electricity industry with the digital power plant, the world’s largest and most efficient gas turbine, full balance of plant, upgrade and service solutions as well as our data-leveraging software. Our innovative technologies and digital offerings help make power more affordable, reliable, accessible and sustainable.

For more information, visit the company's website at www.gepower.com.

About GE

GE (NYSE: GE) is the world’s Digital Industrial Company, transforming industry with software-defined machines and solutions that are connected, responsive and predictive. GE is organized around a global exchange of knowledge, the "GE Store," through which each business shares and accesses the same technology, markets, structure and intellect. Each invention further fuels innovation and application across our industrial sectors. With people, services, technology and scale, GE delivers better outcomes for customers by speaking the language of industry. www.ge.com