March 1, 2018
Climate pollution from NSW power stations stuck at 2013FY levels
The decarbonization of the NSW electricity system has stalled with CO2 emissions from NSW power stations stuck on 49 million tonnes this year, today’s National Greenhouse data show.
Total greenhouse pollution from NSW facilities was 49 million tonnes in 2016-17, up 3 million tonnes from 46 million tonnes two years ago in 2014-15.
“Emissions from power stations in NSW are stuck at the same level as they were in 2012-13,” Nature Conservation Council Senior Energy and Climate Campaigner Dr Brad Smith said.
“The NSW Government in 2016 committed to zero carbon emissions by 2050, but we’re seeing no plan and no progress.
“These latest figures show that rather than reducing our emissions, the state is continuing to pollute. This is a disastrous result caused by the failure of leadership from state and federal governments.”
AGL’s Hunter Valley’s Bayswater and Liddell power stations accounted for almost half (45%) the emissions from energy generation in NSW.
A further 38% was emitted by the Central Coast’s Eraring and Vales Point. The Lithgow region’s Mt Piper power station generated 13%.
REGIONAL BREAKDOWN
|
POWER STATION
|
MILLION TONNES
|
% OF NSW ENERGY EMISSIONS
|
|
Hunter Valley
|
45%
|
|
Bayswater
|
14.2 Mt
|
28%
|
|
Liddell
|
8.9 Mt
|
17%
|
|
Central Coast
|
38%
|
|
Eraring
|
12.9 Mt
|
25%
|
|
Vales Point
|
6.9 Mt
|
13%
|
|
Lithgow region
|
13%
|
|
Mt Piper
|
6.6 Mt
|
13%
|
|
Total 96%
|
Source: National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Electricity Sector Emissions and Generation Data.
“We need to urgently reduce climate pollution, but federal and state Coalition governments are holding us back by hampering investment in our clean energy future,” Dr Smith said.
“They have had years to act but have done nothing but talk, delay and sabotage. Renewable energy sources and storage technologies must replace coal-fired power plants in NSW by 2030 to keep temperatures rises to safe levels, but that will require strong leadership.”
The Nature Conservation Council’s is calling on the Berejiklian government to transition NSW to a modern, clean energy system by:
- Setting enforceable targets to source 65% of NSW’s electricity from renewables by 2025 and 100% by 2030;
- Developing a plan for a quick and orderly phase-out of coal-fired power stations that is fair to power-station workers;
- Creating incentives for the development of storage technologies, including batteries and pumped hydro.
REFERENCES
[1] National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Electricity Sector Emissions and Generation Data. Available at:
http://www.cleanenergyregulator.gov.au/NGER/National%20greenhouse%20and%20energy%20reporting%20data/electricity-sector-emissions-and-generation-data
Tags
Air pollutionClimate and energyCoal and gas
Let others know about this issue