New Plymouth-headquartered Powerco is to provide natural gas to manufacturing and engineering company Bradken Resources Pty at Youngtown, Launceston, by constructing approximately 3km of additional gas pipeline through Kings Meadows to Youngtown to connect Bradken to the gas network.

Powerco’s Tasmanian commercial manager Fraser Kirkpatrick says this spur will commit construction to regions not contracted by Powerco under any development agreement with the Tasmanian Government.

Powerco was already in discussions with other potential large commercial and industrial users and expected interest to grow beyond Kings Meadows and Youngtown as the backbone networks were constructed around the state, he added.

Bradken plant manager Peter McLinden natural gas would ultimately benefit the company’s employees, customers and its business. "We have been eagerly awaiting supply of natural gas as an alternative energy source to LPG so that we can compete on a more level playing field with the mainland."

Kirkpatrick said work on connecting Bradken to the Powerco network would commence this month and was expected to be completed by November.