Tag Archives: KPS Power Generation

Pacific Energy merges KPS Power Generation and Contract Power Australia

Environmental, Power supply for mines, Sustainable mining, , , , ,

Pacific Energy has announced the merger of two of its remote power generation businesses, KPS Power Generation (KPS) and Contract Power Australia, resulting in a single, specialist remote energy company trading as Pacific Energy Pty Ltd.

The integration of the two businesses will bring together a collective 65 years of specialist off-grid remote power generation experience both in Australia and overseas, much of this in mining.

The company said: “With the combined strength, experience and enviable market position of owning and operating over 40 power stations with more than 550 MW of contracted power and over 200 full-time personnel, the merged businesses will continue to provide the same reliable, remote power generation services incorporating collective experience in:

  • Thermal power;
  • Solar power;
  • Wind power;
  • Battery energy storage systems;
  • LNG storage and regassification facilities; and
  • Green hydrogen.

Over the 65-year combined journey, KPS and Contract Power have collectively constructed over 93 power stations, across multiple generation technologies, delivering energy infrastructure totalling over 1.1 GW in Australia and overseas, Pacific Energy said.

Existing personnel and leadership will remain in the joint operating business, with Leon Hodges, Founding Director of Contract Power, assuming the Managing Director position for Pacific Energy Pty Ltd, and Roy Pascoe from KPS assuming General Manager Operations role.

Michael Hall, Chief Operating Officer of Contract Power, will assume the role of Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technology Officer for the entire Pacific Energy Group of Companies.

Jamie Cullen, CEO of Pacific Energy Group, recognised the significance of this merger for the group.

“We have years of history, experience and capability, and are continuing to lead the pack in terms of embracing new technologies and renewable penetration,” he said.

“We are thrilled with the performance of the group over the last couple of years and, under the ownership of QIC since late 2019, we are well positioned and resourced to continue expanding our growth profile and geographical reach. It made sense to bring together the two powerhouses of KPS and Contract Power together to form one strong and formidable team to design and deliver cutting edge, highly reliable remote power generation solutions for our clients.

“The team have been working on delivering some exciting ground-breaking projects, working with clients to meet demand and drive towards net zero emissions. Bringing the teams together under one roof will allow us to combine resources and leverage from the existing experience and expertise to further strengthen and bolster the capability of the group.”

The Perth operations of the integrated business will be housed in a new, state of the art 25,000 sq.m in Kewdale, Western Australia, and supported by regional operation centres in Kalgoorlie and Cue.

Iluka taps into hybrid power at Jacinth-Ambrosia after KPS project completion

Energy minerals, Environmental, Mine operation news, Mining services, Power supply for mines, Sustainable mining, , , , , , , , , ,

Pacific Energy says its subsidiary, KPS Power Generation, has completed the conversion of Iluka Resources’ 10 MW diesel power station at the Jacinth-Ambrosia mineral sands mine in South Australia to a hybrid power facility.

The “world first” hybrid power station incorporates both solar photovoltaics and electric turbo compounding (ETC) technology, combined with an upgraded control system, Pacific Energy said. ETC technology allows generators to maintain the same power output using less fuel and producing lower CO2 emissions, making generators work more cleanly and effectively by recovering waste energy.

The reduction in diesel consumption and improvement in fuel efficiency is expected to save over 2 million litres of diesel and over 5,500 t/y of CO2 at the operation, according to Pacific Energy.

KPS has operated the 10 MW diesel power station at the Jacinth-Ambrosia site since 2009. Under the new contract, which runs for an initial term of seven years, KPS will:

  • Install 3.5 MW of solar power generation;
  • Integrate the solar array with the diesel power station; and
  • Introduce ETC technology to each of the 10 1 MW generators.

juwi Renewable Energy Pty Ltd, the Brisbane-based subsidiary of juwi AG, constructed the medium penetration solar/diesel hybrid power solution for Jacinth-Ambrosia, with KPS owning and operating the hybrid project. It is expected to deliver almost 21% of the mine site’s annual electricity needs.

Shane Tilka, General Manager, Australian Operations at Iluka, said: “The move from diesel to hybrid energy at Jacinth-Ambrosia marks an important evolution in Iluka’s Australian operations. It also offers a potential blueprint for the future use of renewable energy at the company’s other existing and planned operations.”

Pacific Energy Group CEO, Jamie Cullen, said: “We are thrilled to work alongside Iluka, a valued long-term client to deliver a world-class, world-first solar PV and ETC hybrid power facility, and to assist them with reducing carbon emissions and transitioning to net-zero emissions.”