A major upgrade is set to take place at Bayswater Power Station at Muswellbrook.
AGL announced the plans this morning, which will see a $200 million dollar revamp of the plant and 90 jobs created during construction work.
The Bayswater revival comes as part of the NSW Generation Plan which aims to plug a projected energy shortage of 1000 megawatts expected to hit after the closure of Liddell Power Station in 2022.
When complete, Bayswater will power up to 100, 000 Hunter homes - and according to AGL, the improvements will come without added coal consumption or emissions.
AGL Macquarie General Manager, Kate Coates said the project will see modern, energy-efficient turbines installed to reduce emissions.
"This work, which incorporates modern turbine design, will improve the power station's efficiency...This project will ensure Bayswater's upgraded units will be optimal by 2022 and will be ready to power-on until the closure of the station in 2035," Ms Coates said.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Scot MacDonald and Upper Hunter MP Michael Johnsen announced the upgrade will be assessed by the Department of Planning and Environment.
"From the NSW Government perspective," Mr MacDonald said, "it's important that AGL has a plan to cover the retirement of the Liddell Power Station, and they've put that plan to the NSW government.
"It's quite a comprehensive suite of different generation," Mr MacDonald approved.
"Energy generation is changing; there's no doubt about it, it's complex, but I think we've got comfort now that AGL has put a lot of thought into this," he said.
Upper Hunter MP Michael Johnsen also spruked the economic benefits of the move.
"It's very important for our local economy and our electorate," he said, "...to be able to generate that base-load power for the state from the power-generating powerhouse of the Upper Hunter electorate is very important."
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| Image Source: Andrew Sario. |
