Mackay Sugar appoints G&S Engineering to erect plant and major machinery for $120m co-generation project
August 2, 2011</b
Mackay Sugar has appointed local company G&S Engineering to erect the plant and major machinery for its $120 million co-generation project.
CEO Quinton Hildebrand says the signing of the $14 million contract with G&S Engineering marks a major milestone in the development of the clean energy facility.
“As part of their work G&S Engineering will install a high-pressure boiler capable of powering a 37.25 megawatt (MW) turbine and producing renewable energy for the Mackay city electricity network,” Hildebrand says.
G&S Engineering CEO Mick Crowe says the project is a great initiative by Mackay Sugar and he is proud to be associated with such a progressive project for Queensland.
“In addition to the environmental benefits of the project, Mackay Sugar’s commitment to safe work in the construction is 100 percent aligned with our expertise and values and we look forward to a very successful project on all counts,” Crowe says.
Hildebrand says the co-generation plant will be able to provide up to one-third of Mackay’s electricity needs by making use of bagasse – a fibre waste left over from crushing cane.
“By using this by-product for electricity production Mackay Sugar will help reduce our region’s greenhouse gas emissions by 200,000 tonnes equivalent carbon dioxide (CO2e) each year, as well as add more value to the crops grown by our local farmers,” he says.
“Mackay Sugar will store bagasse on site to ensure the plant will operate year-round, supplying energy to the community and the Mackay refinery even during the non-crush period.”
Preliminary site works were completed in May, including a new control system for the Racecourse mill’s number 3 boiler and the demolition of the number one boiler.
The next stage of the project will commence in August, with G&S Engineering to employ 55 people for 85,000 man hours of work in order to complete its activities by June 2012.
As well as erecting the plant, installing the boilers and turbine, G&S will provide all related piping and auxiliary equipment.
This work will be followed by the commissioning phase of the plant, which is due to start by end of 2012.
Hildebrand says Mackay Sugar’s investment in the co-generation plant is in keeping with its vision of creating an innovative and diversified cane business.
“By generating more income from the same sugarcane crop, Mackay Sugar will deliver more value for our shareholders and further strengthen the region’s sugar industry,” he says.
Mackay Sugar has developed a 20-year diversification plan, which outlines various projects based around the organisation’s existing infrastructure and renewable energy goals.
http://new.mkysugar.com.au/