Merredin Energy Pty Ltd is developing the 82 megawatt power station and awarded the engineering, procurement and construction $75 million contract to Balcatta-based company CTEC in March last year.

Construction of the $90 million peaking plant on a 200 metre by 200 metre area began in June last year and once completed will consist of two GE Frame 6B Gas Turbines operating in Open Cycle Configuration.

Merredin Energy said the plant had an onsite water treatment plant, diesel fuel tanks and fuel handling system, high voltage switchyard and connection to the Western Power grid.

It’s about eight months into construction and the project is going well, right on schedule and most importantly has maintained a zero incident safety record to date, according to CTEC’s general manager projects Wolfgang Steffens.

Mr Steffens said the company took great pride in their excellent safety record and only hired contractors that endorsed their similar record.

“Currently the project is accommodating about 100-150 people on site during the construction phase,” Mr Steffens said.

At this point in time, about 10 locals are employed at the Merredin Power Station.

The building process is now at the mechanical and electrical construction stage, with assembling and mobilising parts to follow in the upcoming months.

Mr Steffens said CTEC planned to be offsite in August, when they would then hand over operations and maintenance to the owner Merredin Energy.

“Everyone here is very pleased with the project’s progress so far; the client is happy and there are no concerns with local farmers nearby,” Mr Steffens said.

The plant is the second recent power project for Merredin with the nearby $750 million 206MW Collgar Wind Farm officially opened in June last year.