Desal plant operator ships in diesel generators in desperate bid to deliver first water order

THE operator of Victoria’s troubled desalination plant has shipped in dozens of diesel generators in a desperate bid to deliver the Andrews Government’s first water order.

The operators of Victoria’s troubled desalination plant has shipped in dozens of diesel generators in a desperate bid to deliver the Andrews Government’s first water order. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

THE operator of Victoria’s troubled desalination plant has shipped in dozens of diesel generators in a desperate bid to deliver the Andrews Government’s first water order.

The Herald Sun can reveal Aquasure has been forced to find a back-up electricity source for the Wonthaggi plant amid ongoing concerns of a major power cable fault.

The company has until June 30 to deliver 50GL of water, but serious doubts have emerged about it meeting that deadline.

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Containers for alternative power generators at the desalination plant. Picture: Supplied

Under the multi-billion dollar desal contract, if the water doesn’t flow then Aquasure would lose $27 million paid for the order plus a percentage of service payments which cost water users about $1.8 million every day.

Opposition water spokesman Peter Walsh said it was now time for the government to scrap its order.

“As well as saving customer’s money, Daniel Andrews could also save Victoria from all the emissions his diesel generators will emit,” he said. The generators, supplied by temporary power specialists Aggreko, are at a site about 20km from the plant.

Victoria's desalination plant. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

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The Herald Sun understands about 30 containers are being delivered to set up the multi-generator power system, which would use about 150,000 litres of diesel a day.

It is believed Water Minister Lisa Neville does not support the generators being used, but said yesterday: “This is a matter for Aquasure. We have made it perfectly clear that we expect Aquasure to deliver this water by June 30. If they don’t deliver the full order, Aquasure won’t receive full water and security payments.”

The back-up option was ordered because of ongoing problems with a faulty cable delivering electricity to the plant. A key piece of equipment blew a fuse when the desalination facility was switched on in December to produce the state’s first water order.

Technical experts from overseas have been urgently conducting tests to fix the power supply.

Aquasure chief executive Matt Brassington said the generators were a “temporary solution” which would only be used if repairs “take longer than currently planned”.

“We do not anticipate that it will be required,” he said.

Mr Brassington said all power would be offset by the purchase and surrender of renewable energy certificates.

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