AGL Energy says it still plans to close its Liddell coal-fire power station by 2022, contrary to speculation roused by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull its life will be extended.
Turnbull told Parliament’s Question Time has said that he is in discussions to delay the plant’s closure until 2027, pointing to expected power shortages in 2022 – particularly in the states of Victoria and Australia.
However, AGL has quashed the Prime Minister’s statement, insisting it is “committed to the closure”.
“AGL recognises community and government concerns in relation to energy security, as highlighted in the Australian Energy Market Operator’s 2017 Electricity Statement of Opportunities published yesterday,” an AGL spokesperson said in a statement.
“[AGL] continues to assess the capacity that will be needed post 2022 to replace Liddell.
While AGL says it will continue to engage with government, regulators and other stakeholders, it also noted that the company has made “no commitment to sell Liddell Power Station nor to extend its life beyond 2022”.
AGL provided advance notice to this effect in April 2015, avoiding “volatility” it anticipated by the exit from the National Electricity Market of other coal-fired power stations.
“The energy minister and I are already in discussions with the owner of Liddell, AGL, about how we can ensure that that power station stays in operations for at least another five years after 2022,” Turnbull had told Parliament.