(EnergyAsia, February 9 2012, Thursday) --- Australia’s Origin Energy Limited said the first of two units at its 550MW gas-fired Mortlake Power Station is ready to generate electricity for use in Victoria state.

Located near Mortlake in south-western Victoria, the plant’s two gas turbines will help to meet the growing demand for peak electricity in eastern Australia.

Completion of the plant’s second unit was recently delayed to facilitate an inspection of the generator following a switchyard fault that occurred during the final stages of the unit’s commissioning.

Origin said an inspection will be conducted during the March quarter.

The company said its adherence to a wholesale energy purchasing strategy has ensured its electricity portfolio is well-covered during the commissioning of plant and throughout its initial operations.

The project also involved the construction of an 83 km underground transmission pipeline to deliver natural gas from the Otway area in south-western Australia.

Origin said it has the option to expand the capacity of Mortlake Power Station, which has been designed to enable its future conversion to a highly efficient combined cycle plant.