Advertisement

The great clean-up begins: Nation’s biggest emitter says it will quit coal by 2035

Australia’s largest electricity generator AGL Energy will go “net zero” after abandoning plans to split into two companies.

Sep 29, 2022, updated Sep 29, 2022

Australia’s biggest carbon emitter on Thursday announced a plan to shutdown all coal-fired generation by the end of fiscal year 2035, with annual greenhouse gas emissions to reduce from 40 million tonnes to net zero.

The announcement comes just a day after Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced plans for a massive investment in renewable energy including the world’s biggest commitment to pumped hydro power.

It means two of Australia’s biggest emitters have now abandoned coal and would crank up massive investment in renewables. AGL has estimated it would need $20 billion whereas the Queensland Government has forecast a $62 billion spend.

For the State Government, it means a big shift to pumped hydro, solar and wind, with an estimated 22 gigawatts of new generation capacity, which included the world’s biggest pumped hydro project west of Mackay.

The Government has estimated 100,000 jobs would be created by 2040 under its plan.

AGL chair Patricia McKenzie said the company will have “net zero” emissions from operations following the closure of all AGL’s coal-fired power stations, including Liddell and Bayswater power plants in NSW and the Loy Yang power station that provides almost a third of Victoria’s power.

“This represents one of the most significant decarbonisation initiatives in Australia,” she said.

The financial implications of bringing forward the closure of Loy Yang include an impairment charge of $700 million.

Billionaire shareholder Mike Cannon-Brookes scuppered the energy giant’s planned demerger, which would have created an energy retailer and hived off ageing coal-fired operations that would have operated for longer.

Incoming interim CEO Damien Nicks said the closures represent a major step forward in decarbonising Australia’s economy.

AGL plans to invest up to $20 billion by 2036 in new renewable and energy storage assets, funded by assets on the balance sheet, offtake agreements and partnerships.

This includes a target to have up to 5 gigawatts of new renewables in place this decade, up from a planned 3.2GW pipeline of projects.

Nicks said the “ambitious” strategy would provide clear long-term value for AGL and its shareholders.

AGL also updated guidance for the current financial year, saying earnings would remain “resilient” with the generator well-positioned to benefit from higher electricity prices.

Local News Matters
Advertisement

We strive to deliver the best local independent coverage of the issues that matter to Queenslanders.

Copyright © 2024 InQueensland.
All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy