With sites currently being assessed near AGL’s existing Newcastle Gas Storage Facility, the new station will consist of 14 reciprocating engine units capable of each generating 18 MW of capacity.
AGL is aiming for the power station to be complete by 2022.
“AGL is committed to supporting the orderly transition of Australia’s electricity generation capability to modern, clean and reliable energy,”? said AGL Managing Director and CEO Andy Vesey.
“That’s why we gave seven years’ notice of when we intend to close the Liddell Power Station at the end of 2022 and we are pleased to commit today to build the power station near Newcastle.”?
AGL has now committed ahead of schedule to Stage 1 of its NSW Generation Plan, which it submitted to the Federal Government and the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) in 2017.
It will also continue to assess a potential to develop a further 500 MW of gas-fired generation as part of Stage 2 of its plan.
“AEMO has confirmed that our plan addresses the capacity shortfall that may occur as a result of Liddell closing, and we remain committed to working with AEMO to deliver on that,”? said Mr Vesey.
However, Minister for Energy and the Environment Josh Frydenberg says the new plant’s 252 MW capacity will do little to address the potential shortfall when Liddell closes.
“I welcome more investment, whether it’s by AGL or other players in domestic gas facilities, but let’s bear in mind this is an additional 200 MW of capacity,”? said Mr Frydenberg.
“It’s a peaking plant. When Liddell closes that’s 1,800 MW of capacity that will be taken out of the system.”?
The Liddell Power Station is currently a major sticking point in the national energy conservation, with some in the Federal Government insisting AGL keep it open beyond 2022, while others say that the market must be allowed to run its natural course.