21-07-2025
Apology for diesel pollution as Kurri power plant fires-up for next round of testing
Snowy Hydro has apologised for allowing diesel fumes to spew across the Lower Hunter communities during the first round of testing of the new $2 billion Hunter Power Project.
But it has warned there may be more foul odours to come when it starts testing with gas this week.
Residents from Kurri Kurri to Belmont, Newcastle and West Wallsend said they smelt a strong, burning diesel-like smell on July 8 and 9.
Some reported burning eyes and breathing issues.
Testing was stopped following the widespread complaints.
"We sincerely apologise for not meeting community expectations regarding providing information about the testing more broadly across the region," Snowy Hydro said in a statement.
Gas, the 660-megawatt plant's primary fuel, will be used for the next round of testing, which will commence on Monday.
Snowy Hydro warned there may be a potential plume and associated noise and odour when the turbine starts up again.
"While these impacts will only last a short period and will be dependent on weather conditions at the time of testing, we have also increased the level of air monitoring outside the site boundary," the company said.
"The nature of turning on a brand new generator for the first time means there is uncertainty regarding how it will perform as we fine-tune the turbines so they operate efficiently when we switch to full operations."
A NSW Environment Protection Authority spokesman said the agency's investigation into the first pollution incident was ongoing.
He said the EPA was finalising a review of Snowy Hydro's additional control measures to manage emissions and ensure the community was adequately consulted.
"We are pleased Snowy Hydro has committed to increasing the amount of monitoring and has strengthened community engagement," he said.
"As part of its Environment Protection Licence for the site, the power station is required to conduct continuous emissions monitoring, including during this commissioning phase, where emissions are usually higher than normal operation."
EPA officers will monitor the commissioning work, including conducting odour surveys in the area while the commissioning is undertaken.
Once fully tested, the efficiency of the turbines will result in significantly reduced emissions.
Testing will be undertaken at night and is expected to take six to eight weeks. Improvements to noticeable emissions and odour are expected each week as the commissioning process progresses.
The Hunter Power Project was originally intended to be built in time for the closure of the Liddell coal-fired power station in April 2023.
It is expected that the peaking plant will be used for only about 5 per cent of the time once it is fully operational.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, along with Hunter MPs, committed an additional $700 million towards the green hydrogen project on the eve of the 2022 federal election.
Labor had hoped to start running the plant on 30 per cent green hydrogen from day one and ramp up to 100 per cent by 2030.
While the plant's open-cycle gas turbines have been designed to allow for a 15 per cent hydrogen-gas blend, it quickly became apparent that the green hydrogen dream was technically impossible within the proposed timeframe.
Snowy Hydro has apologised for allowing diesel fumes to spew across the Lower Hunter communities during the first round of testing of the new $2 billion Hunter Power Project.
But it has warned there may be more foul odours to come when it starts testing with gas this week.
Residents from Kurri Kurri to Belmont, Newcastle and West Wallsend said they smelt a strong, burning diesel-like smell on July 8 and 9.
Some reported burning eyes and breathing issues.
Testing was stopped following the widespread complaints.
"We sincerely apologise for not meeting community expectations regarding providing information about the testing more broadly across the region," Snowy Hydro said in a statement.
Gas, the 660-megawatt plant's primary fuel, will be used for the next round of testing, which will commence on Monday.
Snowy Hydro warned there may be a potential plume and associated noise and odour when the turbine starts up again.
"While these impacts will only last a short period and will be dependent on weather conditions at the time of testing, we have also increased the level of air monitoring outside the site boundary," the company said.
"The nature of turning on a brand new generator for the first time means there is uncertainty regarding how it will perform as we fine-tune the turbines so they operate efficiently when we switch to full operations."
A NSW Environment Protection Authority spokesman said the agency's investigation into the first pollution incident was ongoing.
He said the EPA was finalising a review of Snowy Hydro's additional control measures to manage emissions and ensure the community was adequately consulted.
"We are pleased Snowy Hydro has committed to increasing the amount of monitoring and has strengthened community engagement," he said.
"As part of its Environment Protection Licence for the site, the power station is required to conduct continuous emissions monitoring, including during this commissioning phase, where emissions are usually higher than normal operation."
EPA officers will monitor the commissioning work, including conducting odour surveys in the area while the commissioning is undertaken.
Once fully tested, the efficiency of the turbines will result in significantly reduced emissions.
Testing will be undertaken at night and is expected to take six to eight weeks. Improvements to noticeable emissions and odour are expected each week as the commissioning process progresses.
The Hunter Power Project was originally intended to be built in time for the closure of the Liddell coal-fired power station in April 2023.
It is expected that the peaking plant will be used for only about 5 per cent of the time once it is fully operational.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, along with Hunter MPs, committed an additional $700 million towards the green hydrogen project on the eve of the 2022 federal election.
Labor had hoped to start running the plant on 30 per cent green hydrogen from day one and ramp up to 100 per cent by 2030.
While the plant's open-cycle gas turbines have been designed to allow for a 15 per cent hydrogen-gas blend, it quickly became apparent that the green hydrogen dream was technically impossible within the proposed timeframe.
Snowy Hydro has apologised for allowing diesel fumes to spew across the Lower Hunter communities during the first round of testing of the new $2 billion Hunter Power Project.
But it has warned there may be more foul odours to come when it starts testing with gas this week.
Residents from Kurri Kurri to Belmont, Newcastle and West Wallsend said they smelt a strong, burning diesel-like smell on July 8 and 9.
Some reported burning eyes and breathing issues.
Testing was stopped following the widespread complaints.
"We sincerely apologise for not meeting community expectations regarding providing information about the testing more broadly across the region," Snowy Hydro said in a statement.
Gas, the 660-megawatt plant's primary fuel, will be used for the next round of testing, which will commence on Monday.
Snowy Hydro warned there may be a potential plume and associated noise and odour when the turbine starts up again.
"While these impacts will only last a short period and will be dependent on weather conditions at the time of testing, we have also increased the level of air monitoring outside the site boundary," the company said.
"The nature of turning on a brand new generator for the first time means there is uncertainty regarding how it will perform as we fine-tune the turbines so they operate efficiently when we switch to full operations."
A NSW Environment Protection Authority spokesman said the agency's investigation into the first pollution incident was ongoing.
He said the EPA was finalising a review of Snowy Hydro's additional control measures to manage emissions and ensure the community was adequately consulted.
"We are pleased Snowy Hydro has committed to increasing the amount of monitoring and has strengthened community engagement," he said.
"As part of its Environment Protection Licence for the site, the power station is required to conduct continuous emissions monitoring, including during this commissioning phase, where emissions are usually higher than normal operation."
EPA officers will monitor the commissioning work, including conducting odour surveys in the area while the commissioning is undertaken.
Once fully tested, the efficiency of the turbines will result in significantly reduced emissions.
Testing will be undertaken at night and is expected to take six to eight weeks. Improvements to noticeable emissions and odour are expected each week as the commissioning process progresses.
The Hunter Power Project was originally intended to be built in time for the closure of the Liddell coal-fired power station in April 2023.
It is expected that the peaking plant will be used for only about 5 per cent of the time once it is fully operational.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, along with Hunter MPs, committed an additional $700 million towards the green hydrogen project on the eve of the 2022 federal election.
Labor had hoped to start running the plant on 30 per cent green hydrogen from day one and ramp up to 100 per cent by 2030.
While the plant's open-cycle gas turbines have been designed to allow for a 15 per cent hydrogen-gas blend, it quickly became apparent that the green hydrogen dream was technically impossible within the proposed timeframe.
Snowy Hydro has apologised for allowing diesel fumes to spew across the Lower Hunter communities during the first round of testing of the new $2 billion Hunter Power Project.
But it has warned there may be more foul odours to come when it starts testing with gas this week.
Residents from Kurri Kurri to Belmont, Newcastle and West Wallsend said they smelt a strong, burning diesel-like smell on July 8 and 9.
Some reported burning eyes and breathing issues.
Testing was stopped following the widespread complaints.
"We sincerely apologise for not meeting community expectations regarding providing information about the testing more broadly across the region," Snowy Hydro said in a statement.
Gas, the 660-megawatt plant's primary fuel, will be used for the next round of testing, which will commence on Monday.
Snowy Hydro warned there may be a potential plume and associated noise and odour when the turbine starts up again.
"While these impacts will only last a short period and will be dependent on weather conditions at the time of testing, we have also increased the level of air monitoring outside the site boundary," the company said.
"The nature of turning on a brand new generator for the first time means there is uncertainty regarding how it will perform as we fine-tune the turbines so they operate efficiently when we switch to full operations."
A NSW Environment Protection Authority spokesman said the agency's investigation into the first pollution incident was ongoing.
He said the EPA was finalising a review of Snowy Hydro's additional control measures to manage emissions and ensure the community was adequately consulted.
"We are pleased Snowy Hydro has committed to increasing the amount of monitoring and has strengthened community engagement," he said.
"As part of its Environment Protection Licence for the site, the power station is required to conduct continuous emissions monitoring, including during this commissioning phase, where emissions are usually higher than normal operation."
EPA officers will monitor the commissioning work, including conducting odour surveys in the area while the commissioning is undertaken.
Once fully tested, the efficiency of the turbines will result in significantly reduced emissions.
Testing will be undertaken at night and is expected to take six to eight weeks. Improvements to noticeable emissions and odour are expected each week as the commissioning process progresses.
The Hunter Power Project was originally intended to be built in time for the closure of the Liddell coal-fired power station in April 2023.
It is expected that the peaking plant will be used for only about 5 per cent of the time once it is fully operational.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, along with Hunter MPs, committed an additional $700 million towards the green hydrogen project on the eve of the 2022 federal election.
Labor had hoped to start running the plant on 30 per cent green hydrogen from day one and ramp up to 100 per cent by 2030.
While the plant's open-cycle gas turbines have been designed to allow for a 15 per cent hydrogen-gas blend, it quickly became apparent that the green hydrogen dream was technically impossible within the proposed timeframe.
