On the last Saturday in August 2023, Territory Generation marked a special event in Alice Springs, celebrating 50 years of operation at Ron Goodin Power Station with our staff, their families, and distinguished guests, including the Honourable Eva Lawler. The event was an insight into the station’s rich history and a behind-the-scenes look at the beginning of the life cycle of the electricity that powers homes and businesses in the Alice Springs region. It was also an opportunity to reflect on the incredible transformation of Alice Springs since the establishment of the first public electricity supply in 1937.
The Alice Springs New Power Station, opened in 1973, was the third power station to open in the region. It was renamed in 1981 to honour Ronald George Goodin’s contributions to the station from 1964. He held leadership roles from this time, culminating with his appointment to Assistant Area Manager Generation for the Alice Springs Region in 1978, before his sad passing in July 1979.
Testament to Territory Generation’s maintenance practices, two generating units installed in 1964 and 1965 are still available to produce power when required. In 1983, Ron Goodin Power Station was the first in the Northern Territory to run on natural gas supplied from the Palm Valley Field, signifying the start of a new era for Territorians. Ron Goodin is also home to the 5 MW Sadadeen Valley Battery Energy Storage System, which opened in 2018.
We express our gratitude to our staff, past and present, who have contributed to the operations of Ron Goodin. We can celebrate this milestone because of their hard work and dedication. We than them for their commitment to ensuring Alice Springs’ energy needs are met and supporting Ron Goodin as it continues providing capacity and essential system services during the transition to 50% renewables.
