New National Pollutant Inventory data show toxic air emissions from the state’s coal-fired power stations fell 15% in the year to June 2020, but they are still among the most polluting industrial facilities in NSW. [1]
During the 2020 financial year, coal-fired power stations at Lithgow, on the Central Coast and in the Hunter Valley spewed out more than 268,000 tonnes of toxic air pollution including:
- 102,000 tonnes of nitrogen oxides;
- 153,000 tonnes of sulphur dioxide;
- 1,312 tonnes of coarse particles (PM10); and
- 358 tonnes of fine particles (PM2.5).
“Coal-fired power stations are still among the most polluting industrial facilities in NSW,” Nature
Conservation Council Chief Executive Chris Gambian said.
“All these pollutants have a huge impact on people’s health so these facilities must clean up their operations and shut as soon as possible.
“The 15% reduction in emissions is very welcome, these facilities are still a major source of dangerous airborne toxins, including oxides of nitrogen and sulphur and fine particles, which all cause serious respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
“On the Central Coast alone, pollution from coal-fired power stations causes asthma in 650 children.
“The total health impact of this industry on families is colossal, especially in the Hunter, on the Central Coast and across western Sydney where many of these emissions end up.”
NSW Power Station Emissions, 2019-20 (tonnes)
|
|
NOx |
SOx |
Particles 10um |
Particles 2.5um |
Total |
|
Bayswater |
28,421 |
35,795 |
377 |
82 |
64,675 |
|
Liddell |
24,348 |
37,243 |
410 |
108 |
62,109 |
|
Eraring |
20,077 |
39,000 |
330 |
103 |
59,510 |
|
Vales |
18,000 |
20,000 |
86 |
31 |
38,117 |
|
Mt Piper |
11,033 |
20,900 |
109 |
34 |
32,076 |
|
TOTAL |
101,879 |
152,938 |
1,312 |
358 |
256,488 |
Climate pollution from NSW coal power stations fell by 4.1 million tonnes of CO2 in the reporting period, equivalent to replacing 1.3 million petrol cars with electric vehicles, about a third of the NSW passenger vehicle fleet.
References
[1] National Pollutant Inventory, 2019-20. The complete data table is here Toxic emissions from 11 major power stations 2014-20.xlsx