The transformation of AGL's Liddell Power Station into a world-leading clean energy and employment hub has taken a significant step forward with the state government's approval of a 500 megawatt grid-scale battery for the site.
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Decoupling of transmission lines associated with the closure of the 2000 megawatt coal-fired generator, which is due to begin next month, has also been approved.
Massive grid-scale batteries will form the backbone of the national energy market (NEM) in the future. Similar projects are also planned for land adjacent to Eraring Power Station, which is due to close in 2025.
AGL Chief Operating Officer Markus Brokhof said the transition of Liddell power station into a low-carbon industrial energy hub, known as the Hunter Energy Park, would be AGL's first rehabilitation of a coal site.
"Today, we are seeing our vision and plans unite. We are getting on with the work to redevelop these sites so they can continue to provide reliable and affordable energy to households and businesses right across Australia," Mr Brokhof said.
"We believe as we prepare for a low emissions future, our energy hubs will play a central role, but their development relies on having the right infrastructure and technology in place.
AGL is working with several project partners to progress other clean energy projects that will form the 10 hectare park. These include wind parks, a solar storage system, pumped hydro and a waste-to-energy plant.
"All of these developments will benefit from the excellent resources and infrastructure these sites feature and create the jobs of the future across many industries, not just energy," Mr Brokhof said.
"This is a trend that is already happening overseas with more than 150 energy hub projects announced globally, all of them aimed at creating new business development opportunities and value creation.
The Liddell battery is part of AGL's planned national roll-out of 850 MW of grid-scale batteries, with construction underway at Torrens Island and planning progressing at Broken Hill and Loy Yang.
Following AGL's proposed demerger, the Liddell battery would be an asset of Accel Energy.
Mr Brokhof acknowledged that while the company believed the window for Bayswater's closure was realistic, it was possible this could be brought forward again due to the rapid growth of renewable generation across Australia.
"[The situation] is always changing. If the government wishes to bring this forward (from 2030) then there will need to be an agreement with us in place," Mr Brokhof said.
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