BY CHARLOTTE LLOYD
The Hunter Valley is set to receive a new gas power plant from the federal government who says the projects will reduce emissions while creating jobs and enhancing the region with lower energy prices.
The Government announced it is handing over $600 million for Snowy Hydro Limited to construct the 660 MW open cycle gas turbine on the site of the former Kurri Kurri aluminum smelter.
The government hopes the development of the project in the region will deliver an economic boost with an increase in direct and indirect jobs across the Hunter and beyond.
The plant is due to be up and running by 2023, and is set to fill the gap in the energy market left by Liddell Power Station when it closes in the same year.
Energy Minister Angus Taylor says that cheap and effective power is the next step to growing households and businesses in the area and is committed to keeping prices low with the removal of Liddell.
"On every front, it is about replacing the Liddell generator.
"This combined with the announcement made by Energy Australia to build a gas generator in the Illawarra will mean that we meet that target of having enough capacity so that we will have the supply we need to keep the lights on," Mr Taylor said.
Snowy Hydro CEO Paul Broad says that this new development has meant a lot of work has been happening behind the scenes in anticipation for the commencement of construction starting early next year.
"It's fundamental to the transition away from base load coal power to renewables plus intermittent power from gas plants and batteries and hydro" Mr Broad said.
Business Hunter CEO Bob Hawes says he is welcoming the decision by the government that will allow some certainty being put back into the market.
"In a perfect world it would be nice for us to
be able to just transition straight to renewables but the reality of
industry and business in the Hunter says otherwise and we do need a
continuing supply of dispatchable power at an affordable price" Mr Hawes Said.
Labor MP Meryl Swanson whose seat of Paterson the gas plant is being constructed in, has thrown her support behind the project.
Ms Swanson told 2NURFM last week the plant is needed to fill the void left by Liddell's closure.
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| Energy Minister Angus Taylor & Snowy Hydro CEO Paul Broad at Kurri Kurri for the announcement on Wednesday |
