AGL takes big step towards energy transition in Liddell power station closure

The station will be fully closed in April 2023.

AGL further pushes its energy transition agenda in the closure of the first unit of its Lidell power station, which will be the first to be converted into an integrated, low-carbon industrial energy hub.

“The transition of the Liddell site into the Hunter Energy Hub will continue to take shape between now and the site’s full closure next year,” AGL COO Markus Brokhof said.

“We are excited about our clean energy plans in the Hunter region, including grid-scale battery, solar thermal storage, wind, hydrogen and pumped hydro projects.”

The plan to retire Liddell was first announced in 2015. It took seven years before the company found it is in the position to close the site and convert it in line with AGL’s climate commitments.

According to AGL, the closure of the first unit will lead to an annual reduction in greenhouse gas emissions that is comparable to reducing around 400,000 cars off the road.

Apart from this, the AGL had earlier announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Fortescue Future Industries to explore green hydrogen, a 500-megawatt grid-scale battery and a hydro power station at Bells Mountain.

It has also announced accelerated closure windows for its remaining coal-fired power stations of Bayswater (2030 – 2033) and Loy Yang A (2040 – 2045).