AGL cleared to run ageing Torrens Island gas-fired power station
It had been destined for closure, but a 50-year-old gas-fired power plant on Torrens Island will keep chugging along to help keep the lights on in Victoria and SA this summer.
SA News
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An ageing power generator at Torrens Island has been cleared to operate through summer to lessen risks of blackouts.
AGL had intended to start closing its 50-year-old Torrens Island A units from September but asked the State Government for approval to keep running, mainly because of looming power shortages in Victoria.
The request was approved by Energy and Mining Minister Dan van Holst Pellekaan on Wednesday.
AGL also is investing $295 million to build a new gas-fired power plant at Barker Inlet, adjacent to its Torrens Island plant.
“Combining the 480MW capacity of Torrens Island A with the 210MW the new Barker Inlet Station delivers a significant boost to security of electricity supply in SA,” Mr van Holst Pellekaan said.
AGL’s executive general manager group operations Doug Jackson said energy security was critical.
“We’d like to thank the SA Government for working with us throughout these processes to help ensure we can deliver a reliable service throughout the peak summer months,” Mr Jackson said.
When AGL made the extension request, Mr van Holst Pellekaan told parliament summer supply risks were emerging in Victoria.
“To maximise generation over summer, AGL is seeking to improve its position in Victoria this summer due to outages at its Loy Yang plant in Victoria,” he said.
AGL’s Torrens B units will continue to operate and the staged closure of its A units will now only begin in April next year.
The Barker Inlet development is due to begin operating by the end of the year.
AGL also aims to build a pumped hydro plant at Kanmantoo at the site of Hillgrove Resource’s copper mine.