After falling into $200 million worth of debt and closing in 2014, Singleton's Redbank power station has been purchased by Hunter Energy, who have plans to reopen the plant. The recommission plans come from the nearing closure of neighbouring Liddell. The AGL-owned Liddell is set to shut down in just three short years, sparking fears of an energy shortage.
Hunter Energy plans on reducing emissions, committed to being greener than in the past, when Redbank was known as Australia's dirtiest plant. Chief executive, James Myatt, hopes to have the station up and running in early 2020, where greener fuel will be used.
"The type of fuel it was burning was a very wet-mix coal ... We are looking at burning a much drier coal mix and then ultimately reducing coal emissions," he said.
Total Environment Centre spokesperson, Saul Dean, says coal-fired energy is a step in the wrong direction. He and his team believe the Hunter should be focusing on renewable alternatives, which will create more jobs than the mining industry promises to.
"We know there's more jobs in renewable energy, there's more jobs in putting solar panels on roofs, there's more jobs in setting up windfarms, there's more jobs battery storage and so on. There's much more work in those sorts of industries, that are actually going to set the Hunter up for the future," he said.
Mr Dean is also concerned for the health and safety of mine-heavy areas like Singleton.
"We've become much more aware of coal dust and the health implications it has. It's really like flogging a dead horse if we're trying to get this plant to revive itself," he concluded.
"Redbank power station pictured in 2001 with then general manager Sam Barber." CREDIT: The Newcastle Herald
