Stratford Power Station

Infobox_Power_Station
station_name=Stratford Power Station


caption=
location=Taranaki
owner=Contact Energy
status=Operational
fuel_type=Natural Gas
mine_type=
conveyance=
cooling_water=Patea River
technology=
combined_cycle= yes
turbines=
reciprocating_engines=
pumped_storage=
max_capacity=375 MW
commissioned=1998
decommissioned=
extra=

The Stratford Power Station comprises a 375 MW combined cycle unit, and is located east of Stratford, Taranaki, New Zealand.

History

A 200MW power station was build on the Stratford Power Station site, commissioned in 1978. This comprised four 50MW units, each a Pratt and Whitney TwinPak of two FT4 gas turbines. The FT4 engine is the stationary version of the Pratt & Whitney JT4. This plant was fired on natural gas, and was decommissioned and removed in 2001.

The FT4 units were owned and operated (in turn) by NZED, NZE, ECNZ and Contact Energy.

Plant

Currently, the plant comprises one combined cycle unit, based on a GT26 gas turbine in single shaft configuration. Cooling is achieved with a mechanical draft cooling tower, using water from the Patea River.

Peaker Plant

200 MW of new generation is to be built on this site, comprising two LMS100 gas turbine units in open cycle configuration. [cite web | title = Contact orders 200 MW gas-fired peaking turbines for Stratford | publisher = Ministry of Economic Development | Author = Lindsay Clark | date = 2008-04-30 | url = http://www.crownminerals.govt.nz/cms/news/2008/contact-orders-200-mw-gas-fired-peaking-turbines-for-stratford | accessdate = 2008-09-28] This is intended for peaking duty, to complement hydro and wind generation.

References