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https://reneweconomy.com.au/origin-hints-at-another-extension-for-australias-biggest-coal-generator-says-2027-now-just-a-potential-date/>
"Australia’s largest energy retailer Origin Energy has given its clearest hint
yet that it may not close the country’s biggest coal fired generator, Eraring,
in August, 2027, as flagged.
Origin chairman Scott Perkins on Wednesday described August, 2027, as a
“potential stop” date, with a “hard stop” date of April, 2029. “We remain in
discussions with the NSW government about market considerations,” he told the
annual general meeting.
The comments will heighten speculation that the 2.88 GW Eraring coal generator
will not be closed in August, 2027, as currently advised to the Australian
Energy Market Operator. The coal generator is generating profits, Perkins
confirmed, and Origin has done nothing to replace its capacity with new wind
and solar before then.
Origin in 2022 announced the planned “early” closure of Eraring in August,
2025, but the NSW state Labor government – concerned by a potential shortfall
of supply, or more likely higher prices – agreed to underwrite a two year
extension to the closure date.
NSW offered up to $450 million to Origin but the company says the generator is
so profitable that it has not tapped into that government support (it would
have to share profits above a certain level with the state government).
“At the moment Eraring is profitable,” he said, but added that “over the medium
term”, it is “economically very very challenging.”
Earlier, he said: “We will continue to assess the market requirements over
time.”
The big question is if Eraring will be closed on August, 2027, or in April
2029. It is a crucial question for AEMO, for the state government, for other
coal generator owners, for the developers and owners of big batteries, and
those trying to build new wind and solar."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
