its all happening - binningup ann this week

This article doesnt mention the energy contracts but once the fed govt gives approval it is all systems go, so it is only reasonable to assume that the energy contracts will be announced asap as well. I'm not entirely sure why we should care too much about it anymore, but i'd still like CNM to get some kudos from a positive announcement.

http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,27574,25660560-2761,00.html

Federal Government to approve second desalination plant
Article from: PerthNow
Joe Spagnolo, political reporter

June 19, 2009 04:10pm
THE Federal Government is expected to give final approval next week to WA`s second desalination plant.

Water Minister Dr Graham Jacobs told PerthNow he expected approval for the $1 billion desalination plant at Binningup by next Friday.

```We’d hope (to get approvals) by June 25,’’ he said.

``Hopefully by the end of the month there will be a signing of a contract between the two Spanish partners who are going to construct a desalination plant at Binningup.’’

The Department of Environment in Canberra confirmed a decision on the desalination plant would be announced next week.

WA is in a race against time and a drying climate to bring on its new water source.

The new desalination plant will pump out 50 gigalitres of water a year into the Perth Integrated Water System.

Dr Jacobs said approvals had been sought to double the size of the plant, when required.

``We have footprint to extend the plant,’’ he said.

``All the approvals have been sought for 100 gigalitres.’’

As revealed by The Sunday Times, the Minister is considering banning sprinklers in winter because of WA’s dwindling water supplies.

Dr Jacobs said dams were only 28 per cent full and the new water source was vital.

He expected the plant to be commissioned in December, 2011.

The companies involved in the Southern Seawater Alliance (SSWA), selected as the preferred tenderer to build the Southern Seawater Desalination Plant, are Spanish based-Tecnicas Reunidas and Valoriza Agua, partnered by A J Lucas, Worley Parsons and the Water Corporation.

The Spanish desalination companies spearhead the consortia and will operate the plant for 25 years.

The plant will initially produce 50 gigalitres (50 billion litres) of drinking water each year and will be connected to the Integrated Water Supply Scheme through a 25km pipeline from the plant between Binningup and Myalup to Harvey, where it will be linked to a major pipeline running to the Tamworth water reservoir in Rockingham.

It will take about two years to build and commission the new plant. The cost of the plant, pipeline, ocean inlets and outlets and other infrastructure is $955 million