Desalination plant switch-on debacle: Equipment damaged in major failure

VICTORIA’S disastrous desalination plant has had a major equipment failure the first time workers tried to produce water for the state.

VICTORIA’S disastrous desalination plant has had a major equipment failure the first time workers tried to produce water for the state.

The Andrews Government is scrambling to fix the plant after a key piece of equipment blew a fuse when it was turned on earlier this month.

The latest setback comes after a litany of debacles with the plant, including cost blowouts, power cable failures and pipe leaks that sparked major pollution concerns.

The Government is scrambling to fix the plant after a key piece of equipment blew a fuse when it was turned on earlier this month.

The total cost of the desalination plant has reached up to $24 billion.

Victorians were told the plant would cost $3.1 billion when it was built under Bracks-Brumby governments, but the total cost has reached up to $24 billion.

The plant will increase water bills by $12 a household from July.

The breakdown has seen renewed attacks on the government for turning on the plant at a time when the state’s water storage is sitting at 71.4 per cent, 2.5 per cent higher than this time last year.

Power equipment in the switchgear building — which connects the power line to the plant — was severely damaged and flicked the circuit breaker, immediately shutting down the plant.

The damage to the switchgear is being assessed, with the plant expected to be turned back on again in late February.

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Victoria’s disastrous desalination plant has had a major equipment failure the first time workers tried to produce water for the state.

Water Minister Lisa Neville said the government would stick to its 50-gigalitre order by the end of June.

“We do have a spare piece of equipment, but … we’ve decided to wait until the investigation tells us what caused the circuit breaker to go off so that we don’t wreck another piece of equipment,” Ms Neville said.

“I have met with Aquasure, the company contracted to deliver the government’s order, and they have assured me it will deliver the government’s order by June 30, 2017.”

Victoria's desalination plant. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Opposition water spokesman Peter Walsh said the government had failed to meet its promise to turn on the desalination plant over the summer.

“It is just an absolute disaster. Our children and our grandchildren will be paying nearly $24 billion for this plant, and the first time they want to turn the switch, it actually doesn’t work. It is just ridiculous,” Mr Walsh said.

“There is absolutely no need to run the desalination plant, other than a political reason — they want to justify the decision that was made previously (to build it).”

The damaged piece of equipment was designed by electrical company Siemens.

Aquasure chief executive Matt Brassington confirmed the switchgear was damaged when officials went to turn on the plant on December 11.

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