Wärtsilä has been selected to supply 13 of its 46TS-SG gas engines for a 300 MW power plant in Australia, which will be the country’s largest reciprocating engine power plant when commissioned.
The project is intended to provide flexible generation for grid balancing and system security as Australia increases the share of renewable energy on its electricity system. Wärtsilä booked the order in the third quarter of 2026.
The plant will use 13 Wärtsilä 46TS-SG engines. The company says the engines can currently operate with a hydrogen blend of up to 25% by volume and are designed to maintain performance under high ambient temperatures and at high-altitude locations.
The fast-starting engines are intended to complement variable renewable generation by providing dispatchable capacity when wind and solar output changes. Wärtsilä said the plant’s modular configuration will also allow capacity to be expanded as renewable generation increases.
“Our engine technology combines the efficiency, flexibility and reliability needed to support Australia’s evolving energy system,” said Frederic Carron, vice-president, Middle East and Asia at Wärtsilä Energy. “The Wärtsilä 46TS engine will help strengthen power system resilience, while its innovative modular design allows the plant to be easily expanded as the share of renewable energy increases.”
Equipment deliveries are scheduled to begin in early 2029, with the power plant expected to enter full operation in 2030.
The project comes as Australia’s electricity system undergoes a shift towards higher levels of wind and solar generation, increasing the need for flexible generation and other technologies capable of supporting system stability. Wärtsilä said its gas engine technology is designed to operate alongside growing renewable capacity while maintaining electricity supply security.
