Perth, Australia: The INPEX–operated Ichthys LNG Project is a step closer to becoming the world’s first liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant to use combined cycle technology, having successfully initiated the start-up of its gas turbine generators at its onshore power plant near Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. 

The milestone is a significant step towards power generation at the Project’s onshore combined cycle power plant (CCPP). Ichthys Project Managing Director, Mr Louis Bon paid tribute to the ongoing focus of the team working on the delivery of the power plant. 

“Initiating the safe start-up of the gas turbine generators (GTG) illustrates the strong commitment of the onshore team to overcome challenges and achieve our targets,” Mr Bon announced. 

“The combined cycle power plant uses gas and steam turbines together to produce up to 50 per cent more electricity from the same amount of fuel compared with a traditional simple-cycle plant,” he advised. 

The waste heat from the gas turbines will be used to create steam for the nearby steam turbine system, which generates extra power. Power and Water Corporation in the Northern Territory provided the initial gas to fuel the GTG start-up process. 

Ultimately powered by natural gas from the Ichthys Field, the CCPP will use a mix of five gas and three steam turbine generators to supply all the electricity requirements for onshore processing of LNG. 

The power plant has capacity for up to 490 megawatts of electricity, which allows LNG processing trains to cool and liquefy natural gas. 

Read the full media release here.