STAFF WRITERS
MEMBER for Morwell Martin Cameron has written to Energy Australia Managing Director, Mark Collette, requesting a meeting.
In correspondence seen by the Express, Mr Cameron is seeking clarity on Yallourn’s future.
“Given the significance of the Yallourn Power Station to the Latrobe Valley and our energy supply, I am very concerned about plans to close the station in 2028,” it reads.
“Energy forecasts by AEMO, the Victorian Auditor-General and the wider energy sector indicate we are not ready for the plant to close and I am gravely concerned about Victoria’s electricity supply, and the impact on jobs in the Latrobe Valley if the closure proceeds as planned.
“On behalf of my community, I formally request that Energy Australia reviews this decision and keeps Yallourn operating until such time as sufficient alternative supply is available and replacement jobs can be secured in the Latrobe Valley.
“I am cognisant of Energy Australia’s concerns about the physical status of the plant and that it is reaching the end of its life and I would be keen to discuss how the plant could be managed to operate beyond 2028, and what role the state government could play to assist.
“I am also keen to gain a clearer understanding of the Power Your Future program, including its current status and the supports available to workers facing retrenchment, particularly in relation to retraining and reskilling pathways.
Yallourn has been scheduled for a 2028 closure since 2021, as the state government pushes ahead toward an all-renewables future.
An Energy Australia spokesperson responded, saying “Yallourn has powered Victorian homes and businesses for more than 100 years, and the people of the Latrobe Valley have made that possible.”
“Our focus is on three things. Running Yallourn safely until it retires in mid-2028. Helping our people plan their next chapter through our $10 million Power Your Future program. And keeping up our investment in the Latrobe Valley well beyond closure, with projects like the Woreen Energy Storage System already underway.
“We welcome continued engagement from local MPs, councils, unions and community members.”
The Express reported last November that EnergyAustralia had plans to convert the Yallourn W into a low-carbon emissions hub supplying data centres, industry and households, in an ambitious plan that will cost more than $5 billion.
Energy Australia is Australia’s third-largest electricity and gas retailer. The company said the scheme will mean the Latrobe Valley has a long-term future in power supply.
“The site’s been running for 100 years, and we’d love to see it run in some capacity for another 100 years,” Mr Collette said in an interview with the Australian Financial Review.
“It’s clearly not going to be on brown coal if we’re looking 100 years into the future, but data centres, solar, batteries, gas-fired generation that can back up a renewable system – they all look quite prospective.”
The first stage of the new precinct would be a gas power plant that could ultimately supply up to one gigawatt of power, and a similarly sized lithium-ion battery with capacity for eight hours of storage.
Mr Collette said that while EnergyAustralia had yet to “bring the business case to life” and nail down gas supplies and other elements, he saw a clear role for gas-fired power to allow other Victorian coal stations, including AGL’s Loy Yang A, to close. “Whether it’s a bit earlier or a bit later for the other technologies, we think there’ll be an opportunity,MEMBER for Morwell Martin Cameron has written to Energy Australia Managing Director, Mark Collette, requesting a meeting.
In correspondence seen by the Express, Mr Cameron is seeking clarity on Yallourn’s future.
“Given the significance of the Yallourn Power Station to the Latrobe Valley and our energy supply, I am very concerned about plans to close the station in 2028,” it reads.
“Energy forecasts by AEMO, the Victorian Auditor-General and the wider energy sector indicate we are not ready for the plant to close and I am gravely concerned about Victoria’s electricity supply, and the impact on jobs in the Latrobe Valley if the closure proceeds as planned.
“On behalf of my community, I formally request that Energy Australia reviews this decision and keeps Yallourn operating until such time as sufficient alternative supply is available and replacement jobs can be secured in the Latrobe Valley.
“I am cognisant of Energy Australia’s concerns about the physical status of the plant and that it is reaching the end of its life and I would be keen to discuss how the plant could be managed to operate beyond 2028, and what role the state government could play to assist.
“I am also keen to gain a clearer understanding of the Power Your Future program, including its current status and the supports available to workers facing retrenchment, particularly in relation to retraining and reskilling pathways.
Yallourn has been scheduled for a 2028 closure since 2021, as the state government pushes ahead toward an all-renewables future.
The Express reported last November that EnergyAustralia had plans to convert the Yallourn W into a low-carbon emissions hub supplying data centres, industry and households, in an ambitious plan that will cost more than $5 billion.
Energy Australia is Australia’s third-largest electricity and gas retailer. The company said the scheme will mean the Latrobe Valley has a long-term future in power supply.
“The site’s been running for 100 years, and we’d love to see it run in some capacity for another 100 years,” Mr Collette said in an interview with the Australian Financial Review.
“It’s clearly not going to be on brown coal if we’re looking 100 years into the future, but data centres, solar, batteries, gas-fired generation that can back up a renewable system – they all look quite prospective.”
The first stage of the new precinct would be a gas power plant that could ultimately supply up to one gigawatt of power, and a similarly sized lithium-ion battery with capacity for eight hours of storage.
Mr Collette said that while EnergyAustralia had yet to “bring the business case to life” and nail down gas supplies and other elements, he saw a clear role for gas-fired power to allow other Victorian coal stations, including AGL’s Loy Yang A, to close. “Whether it’s a bit earlier or a bit later for the other technologies, we think there’ll be an opportunity,” he added.
