Wärtsilä Corporation has announced that its engines have been selected for a major Australian energy infrastructure upgrade, with the technology group set to supply equipment for a 59 MW power plant extension in Moomba, South Australia. The order was booked in the third quarter of 2026, according to a press release issued on 22 October 2026.

Centralizing Compression at Seven Stations

The expanded facility forms part of an energy infrastructure upgrade being carried out by one of Australia's major oil and gas producers. The project will modernize aging gas field infrastructure by replacing the compression at seven gas-driven compressor stations with a single centralized electric-driven station.

The Engines and Their Role

The power plant will operate with five Wärtsilä 31SG engine-generator units running on gas from the local Moomba fields. The Wärtsilä 31SG was selected for its proven efficiency, which supports cost-efficient energy production and contributes to the overall economics of the gas processing operation.

In addition to the engines, which are scheduled for delivery in mid-2027, Wärtsilä will provide advisory services to support the project.

Efficiency and Future Fuel Flexibility

Kari Punnonen, Energy Business Director, Australasia at Wärtsilä Energy, said the 31SG is used in numerous installations worldwide and offers high efficiency, making it particularly suited to applications where optimizing the cost of gas production is a priority. He noted that the company's broad portfolio and proven track record of Wärtsilä 31SG installations add to its attractiveness.

Punnonen also pointed to possible future uses for the technology. As the client progresses their strategy, the flexibility of the Wärtsilä 31SG engine may provide future opportunities to operate on sustainable fuels and support the integration of renewable energy sources into the site's energy mix, according to the release.

Company Background

Wärtsilä Energy describes itself as being at the forefront of the transition towards a 100 percent renewable energy future, helping customers and the power sector accelerate decarbonization through its technologies and power system expertise.

Its solutions include flexible engine power plants and services covering the whole lifecycle of installations, and its track record comprises 81 GW of power plant capacity in 180 countries, with about 35 percent of its operating installed base under service agreements.

Wärtsilä as a group is a technology company serving the marine and energy industries, employing 17,900 professionals across 199 locations in 78 countries. In 2025, the company's net sales totalled USD 6.96 billion, and it is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.

Further information on the release is available from Katri Pehkonen, Communications Manager at Wärtsilä Energy.

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