LOCATION
Port of Newcastle, NSW
PRODUCTS
Control equipment | Power Distribution products | Full current Low Voltage Socomec isolators
The Introduction
Since September 2004, the Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group (NCIG) had one clear objective: to increase the export capacity of the Port of Newcastle (the world’s leading exporter of coal). With help of Downer EDI Engineering, Aurecon Hatch and NHP, the Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group has successfully delivered a landmark development within budget and ahead of production schedule.
For many years, coal export capacity limitations at this pivotal port have often resulted in lengthy shipping queues, with the only solution to alleviating such queues, as well as looking to provide certainty to coal producers, being significantly greater port and rail capacity.
The overview
Formed in 2004 to address these fundamental capacity issues, both rail and port, was the NCIG which is comprised of six member companies being BHP Billiton, Centennial Coal, Donaldson Coal, Peabody Energy, Yancoal and Whitehaven Coal. This group proposed to build and operate a third coal export terminal in the Port of Newcastle, which was approved by the New South Wales Government in 2007.
Located on a 136 hectare site on Kooragang Island, the terminal was designed to incorporate the latest technologies to provide three essential services: a rail receiving system, a stockpiling area and a ship loading system.
Construction of the terminal was completed in just over two years, amassing over four million working hours, and was officially opened on May 3, 2010, with initial Stage One works enabling a capacity of 30 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa). Stage Two constructions have also now begun and are expected to be completed later this year, further increasing capacity to 53 Mtpa.
The Solution
NHP, working alongside the switchboard contractor Downer EDI Engineering, supplied the control equipment for the Motor Control Centres (MCCs) as well as the power distribution products that were used for the on-site custom built panel boards used in the construction of the export coal terminal.
The switchrooms for the elaborate project were completely fitted out on-site, which greatly reduced labour costs as it allowed construction in a controlled environment, ensuring the finished product was of exceptional quality on completion with the added benefit of a faster build time.
When principle contractor Aurecon Hatch were awarded the NCIG coal export terminal venture, NHP presented a number of relevant products, particularly their range of full current LV isolators. The Energy Technical Director at Aurecon Hatch, worked closely with NHP on the NCIG project and was pleased with their product and services that were provided.
“NHP were able to listen to our needs and prepare several prototype isolators which were value-added with the customisation of their Socomec isolators. Pricing was competitive and delivery was prompt which made for great time and cost efficiency,” he said.
“The NHP catalogues can be found in the design and site offices of many of my past projects and I have had a long term working relationship with NHP. With knowledgeable staff and technical support when required, they are a great asset to our projects.”
With the NCIG export terminal expected to increase Australia’s GDP by $3 billion per year and generate up to 5,000 jobs across the region and the state, everyone involved in this significant project are understandably delighted with the final outcome
Get in touch
For more information or any other inquiries, please don't hesitate to contact NHP. Our team is ready to assist you.
