News
24 July, 2026
Power station could be operational by 2033
A proposed new gas fired power station near Marulan could be operating as soon as 2033. Origin hosted a number of information sessions on the proposed Kerrawary Power Station last week to provide local residents with information on the project.
A proposed new gas fired power station near Marulan could be operating as soon as 2033.
Origin hosted a number of information sessions on the proposed Kerrawary Power Station last week to provide local residents with information on the project.
It says the project is expected to deliver “wide-ranging regional and local benefits”.
An indicative timeline provided by Origin shows planning and approvals in 2028, a four-year construction and commissioning period from 2029 and the commencement of operations in 2023.
The proposed gas fired peaking power station will be located on Origin-owned freehold land bordering the Kerrawary Nature Reserve at Big Hill.
It is approximately 3.5km north of Marulan.
The project will include gas turbine generators, a switchyard, up to 35km of buried gas pipeline and supporting infrastructure including access roads and utilities.
Origin says there will need to be targeted road and intersection upgrades to accommodate oversize/overmass (OSOM) vehicles transporting large turbine components during the construction process.
The existing causeway over the Wollondilly River on Brayton Road may need to be replaced with a new bridge.
According to Origin, the power station is designed to provide flexible, dispatchable electricity to support a reliable energy system.
It says renewable energy is variable and once batteries have discharged stored energy, power generation is needed to maintain supply.
Gas fired peaking power stations can start quickly, supplying power to the national electricity grid to maintain supply.
Origin says there will be a greater reliance on dispatchable generation as more coal fired generators retire and exit the market in the mid 2030s.
Ian Bollen from the Canyonleigh Community Association (CCA) said Origin had been asked to respond to a number of questions relating to the project and how it might impact on the local community.
He said Origin had acknowledged receipt of those questions and had advised that it would provide a detailed response.
Mr Bollen said the project had the potential to affect the Canyonleigh community for decades and residents “rightly expect clear, factual information about both the opportunities and the impacts”.
He said CCA wanted to ensure that local voices were heard throughout the planning process and had a “commitment to constructive dialogue”.
Many of the CCA’s questions relate to the impact of the project on local road infrastructure as well as air quality, noise and visual impact.
Mr Bollen said CCA would continue to monitor developments and share factual information with the information as more information becomes available.
Origin says the Big Hill site was chosen because of “strong connections” to the existing electricity transmission network and its proximity to the Moomba Sydney Pipeline, ensuring access to a fuel supply.
It says the project will create up to 450 jobs at the peak of construction with six operational staff ongoing.
The power station will have an operational lifespan of more than 30 years.
Operational water demand will be approximately 90 megalitres a year and will be sourced from a mix of options including river extraction, stormwater capture, groundwater and recycled water to ensure a reliable and flexible supply.
Origin says the project will use a small share of available regional water and will purchase existing allocations rather than purchase new ones.
--------------
Subscribe to The Southern Wire Newsletter for free at the link below.
https://subscribe-forms.beehiiv.com/1986abc6-c89e-4781-9db2-cf35c9dd71e4
If you value independent local journalism across the Highlands, Tablelands and Wollondilly, please click the link below to support us to ensure we remain paywall free.
Read More: Southern Highlands, Southern Tablelands, Marulan