KBR wins Australian power management contract

US contractor KBR has been awarded a project management services contract for the construction of the 242 MW gas-fired Diamantina power station in north west Queensland, Australia.

KBR said its scope of services for the project would include project management, safety, cost, schedules and oversight of the power station's engineering, procurement and construction contractors.

Located about 6 km from the mining community of Mount Isa, KBR said the new power plant would provide power to Xstrata's MIM copper mine as well as become a secure long-term energy supplier for the region.

A 50:50 joint venture between two Australian utility companies - APA Group and AGL Energy -awarded the contract. The companies estimated that the cost of building the power station would be about AU$ 500 million (US$ 525 million), with construction to be completed by mid-2014.