Liddell Battery Given Green Light

BY JJ PILLAY 

The State's Planning department has approved the demolition of Liddell Power Station and replacing the site with a large scale battery complex. 

Construction of the battery is expected to begin in December 2025 according to operator AGL. It's designed to be a 500 megawatt, two hour duration grid scale battery. 

More than 95% of steel will be sourced locally, and more than 150 workers will be involved with the project at a cost of approximately 750 million dollars. 

The project will be the first new development built as a part of the Hunter Energy Hub after Liddell was retired in April 2023. 

It comes after the Coalition announced they would forcibly acquire the site for a nuclear power station if elected to Government.

Concept design of the battery. Credit: AGL

NSW Labor Committs to Hunter Clean Energy Transition Authority

BY OLIVIA DILLON

 

NSW Labor has committed to creating a Hunter Clean Energy Transition Authority if it forms government this month, to guide the region through the closure of its coal-fired power stations. 

 

Formed in a bid to guide workers and businesses towards emerging industries, the authority would be similar to one established in Victoria, following the closure of the Hazelwood Power Station and Mine. 

 

It's role would be to help maximise job opportunities, re-skilling and re-deploying workers as businesses close. 

 

The Opposition hasn't yet disclosed how it will pay for the authority.

But, Shadow Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley, said the party is committed to establishing a partnership between the agency, and its proposed TAFE Manufacturing Centre for Excellence. 

She also said it will ensure the region maintains its status as an energy powerhouse. 

Liddell Power Station is slated to close in April 2023.

NSW Greens Pledge to Use Coal Royalties to Fund the Region's Energy Transition

BY OLIVIA DILLON

The NSW Greens have announced they will introduce a new authority to support the Hunter's transition away from coal, if they win the state election. 

The NSW Transition Authority will use a budget of $500 million, to assist coal-dependent communities to diversify their local economies. 

The Authority will be funded using a progressive coal royalty system, modelled off one currently operating in Queensland. 

It's already estimated to earn the state government an extra $8 billion per year. 

The body will also ban new coal and gas projects like the one slated for Narrabri, will help re-train and place mine workers in new industries. 

Greens MP Abigail Boyd, said coal-ash recycling is one such example. 

"There are thousands of jobs that we can create in various industries, but one of the ones that the Greens have been working with the community for over the last four years in Parliament, is this growing awareness that there is a huge amount of coal-ash sitting in coal-fired power stations, that you can actually turn into light-weight construction aggregates; you can use them in roads, and in pathways."

She also said local residents and workers will be involved in every step of the process. 

Image: Lock the Gate