AGL submits application to SA Government for continued running of Torrens Island gas station as Victorian coal is powered down

The Torrens Island power station could run until next year, with operators asking to postpone the mothballing that was scheduled for this year.

The Torrens Island gas-fired power station. It was due to be mothballed this year, but operators have asked to postpone those plans. Picture: Kelly Barnes/The Australian

Operators of SA’s biggest remaining power station are seeking permission to keep it running for another summer, temporarily shelving plans to mothball the ageing plant.

In a Budget Estimates hearing on Thursday, Energy and Mining Minister Dan van Holst Pellekaan said the State Government had received an application from AGL to keep the gas-fired Torrens Island station running this summer.

As part of approval to build a new station at Barkers Inlet, the first two units from Torrens A were to be mothballed this year.

They have a top capacity of 120MW each.

Mr van Holst Pellekaan said the application would be independently assessed, but indicated the continued running could help avoid forced blackouts from power shortages.

Victoria has followed SA’s lead in closing down its biggest coal-fired power station.

It is the only other state to which SA in linked in the national energy market, and both are at heightened blackout risk.

Mr van Holst Pellekaan said he was “very live to the need to support Victoria through summer as shortages there can affect us, too”.