Rio Tinto has advised AEMO that the Gladstone power station (GPS) may retire in March 2029, coinciding with the expiry of current supply and operational agreements.
Under the National Electricity Rules, the venture is required to provide at least 3.5 years’ notice of generator closure, although that notice period may be extended. While no definitive choice to cease operations has been made, extending the life of the power station remains a possibility, subject to market conditions and other influencing factors.
The notification does not affect the power station’s ongoing operations. All existing power supply contracts — including those with Boyne Smelters Ltd — will remain in effect until their scheduled expiry in March 2029. The Joint Venture partners emphasise their respect for GPS’s enduring role in the Gladstone community and reiterate their commitment to maintaining clear, open communication with employees, contractors and suppliers as developments proceed.
In the period leading to March 2029, the joint venture intends to actively consult with stakeholders on evolving energy‑market conditions and prospective future uses of the site. Those discussions will help shape any decision on the timing and strategy for retirement. GPS has been operating since 1976 and is owned via an unincorporated joint venture in which Rio Tinto holds a 42.125 per cent interest.
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