Australian food processing firm Manildra Group will replace the coal-fired boilers to natural gas units for the cogeneration power plant at its biggest gluten and starches factory.
GE has shipped the first of its aeroderivative turbines to Manildra’s Shoalhaven Starches factory in Bomaderry, new South Wales, Australia.
The gas-fired units will replace coal-fired predecessors in the combined heat and power (CHP) power facility and could cut comparative greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent.
GE will provide two LM2500+ aeroderivative gas turbines—utilitizing same operational concept as jet engines—and two heat recovery steam generators. The 54-MW CHP power generation system is expected to be operational in 2023.
Shoalhaven Starches also will gain and use about 210 tons of steam on a continuous basis. Manhildra’s plant is touted as the largest starch and gluten plant of its kind in the world and will be powered year-round by the gas turbines and cogeneration plant.
Manildra Group needed to retire current boilers as well as become self-sufficient in supplying electricity without relying on the national grid, the company said.
“We recognize that more sustainable, stable, reliable, and affordable energy is critical to our manufacturing process, which is why we are delighted to employ GE’s advanced power and steam generating technology to provide cleaner and more reliable electricity and heat,” said Manildra Group Managing Director John Honan. “This scale of investment in energy transition, generation and infrastructure cements our commitment to a more sustainable, and cleaner fuel powered site, and GE’s LM2500 turnkey power plant solutions will support us in continuing to produce the highest-quality Australian-grown and made food and industrial products.”
In addition to providing the technology for the cogeneration power plant, GE also signed an eight-year contractual service agreement.
Earlier this year, Manildra Group announced it was undertaking an A$190 million project to transition from coal-fired boilers and gas boilers to two behind-the-meter high-efficiency, gas-fired combined heat and power plants at its Nowra plant.
The two plants will produce up to 100% of the electricity required at the site. The Manildra Group produces premium food and industrial products from wheat glutens, wheat starches, and syrups to ethanol and animal stockfeed at the Nowra plant.
The new Nowra plant will supported by drawing on an $85 million CEFC investment to exit coal at its primary manufacturing plant. The $190 million project is also financed by a $95 million commercial debt package which is supported by a $50 million guarantee from Export Finance Australia.
