The Liddell power plant (pictured) is set to close in 2023 and will be replaced by a new gas power plant. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
A new gas power plant in the NSW Hunter Valley will cost the Morrison government $600m to build. The plant is expected to go online in the summer of 2023/2024.
According to 9News, the Hunter valley plant is set to replace the coal-powered Liddell station after it closes down in 2023.
Last year the government, as part of a “gas-led recovery” plan, pledged to fund the power plant should the private sector fail to do so.
On 18 May Energy and Emissions Reduction Minister Angus Taylor said:
“Cheap power is crucial to ensuring families, businesses and job-creating industries in NSW can thrive, which is why we are committed to replacing the energy generated by Liddell to keep prices down.”
He added that the project is good news for NSW and the National Electricity Market as a whole.
“We were very clear from the start – we will not stand by and watch prices go up and lights go off,” Mr Taylor said.
He affirmed that the multimillion-dollar project is expected to deliver “strong returns” and is a sensible investment.
This news comes as a number of countries across the world – including the United States and the European Union – have committed to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
This commitment entails a restriction on the amount of greenhouse gases that can be released into the atmosphere. The amount is limited to what the atmosphere can absorb.
Australia has not yet committed to net-zero emissions by 2050. It has also not indicated whether it will seek to improve on its current target to lower emissions by 26 to 28 percent of 2005 levels, by 2030.
The International Energy Agency released a report on 18 May in which they outlined the 400 steps required to change the way energy is produced, transported and used.
In the report, the organisation calls for an end to new coal mines, oil and gas wells.
Last month the IEA said that 2021 will bring the second largest yearly increase in emissions since 2010 as the world recovers from the pandemic.