2 August, 2019
Policy shambles to blame for AGL’s decision to extend Liddell closure date
AGL’s decision to extend the closure date of Liddell coal-fired power station until April 2023 directly contravenes the company’s greenhouse gas policy and is deeply disappointing but blame for this situation lies squarely at the feet of the federal and state governments.
“AGL’s decision to extend the closure date for its Liddell coal-fired power station is a direct consequence of the federal and state government’s mismanagement of energy policy,” Nature Conservation Council CEO Kate Smolski said.
“Four more months of operation by three turbines at Liddell will pump two million tonnes of carbon pollution into the atmosphere, contributing further to dangerous climate change.
“We have known about the upcoming Liddell closure since 2015. It hasn’t exactly been under the radar. Liddell is NSW’s most unreliable and most polluting power station. Relying on it to limp though summer is risky and irresponsible. It was outages at two Liddell units that contributed to NSW running out of electricity in February 2017.
“AGL’s decision directly contravenes their greenhouse gas policy and deeply disappointing but blame for this situation lies squarely at the feet of the federal and state government.
“The Morrison government’s incompetence in formulating a coherent climate and energy policy has stymied the investment in wind, solar and storage that should have filled the gap in supply that this decision seeks to fill.
“This highlights the urgent need for NSW to go it alone and develop its own climate and energy policy to ensure we play our part in slashing climate pollution to keep global heating to a manageable level.
“We call on NSW Energy Minister Matt Kean to urgently develop a comprehensive and integrated climate and energy plan to rapidly transition the state’s energy system to clean energy and storage.”
References
AEMO system event report New South Wales 10 February 2017
AGL Greenhouse Gas Policy, 2015
Tags
Air pollutionClimate and energy
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