The Government welcomes the announcement by AGL to extend operations at the Liddell Power Station until April 2023 and maintain full operation of Torrens A power station until September 2022.
AGL previously announced that Liddell would close in 2022, and Torrens A would close in November 2019. AGL has now indicated it will keep Liddell running through until at least April 2023, and Torrens A will run until September 2022.
AGL's decision will ease tightness in supply over the next three summers, however the Government remains focused on the real challenge of ensuring enough reliable affordable generation to meet demand post 2023.
This is why the Government has prioritised the Big Stick and the Retailer Reliability Obligation to guarantee enough dispatchable energy to meet demand.
- The Retailer Reliability Obligation came into effect on July 1 2019;
- The Government has committed to bring back the Big Stick Legislation into the Parliament this year;
- In addition, the Government is progressing the 12 project shortlist under the Underwriting New Generation Investments program which includes 3 projects in New South Wales and 4 in South Australia.
"I have made it a priority to keep reliable generation in the market. Today's announcement is an important step in that direction but there is still a lot more to be done", Minister Taylor said.
"The Government is focused on the real challenge of ensuring enough reliable affordable generation to meet demand post 2023."
More dispatchable generation is the only way to bring prices down and keep the lights on. We will continue to work with AGL and the NSW Government to ensure the disastrous Hazelwood closure is not repeated.
