Government mulls 50-year coal-fired power stations rule

A PROPOSAL to extend the life of some of Australia’s coal-fired power stations with a new “50-year rule” is reportedly gaining traction.

Aerial view of Vales Point Power Station at Mannering Park, NSW. Picture: Supplied.

THE government is reportedly considering a proposal to extend the life of some of Australia’s coal-fired power stations with a new “50-year rule”, amid fears that a quick move to renewables will threaten electricity security.

The Australian reports that the government is considering an alternative market signal that would put in place a 50-year-rule for Australia’s fleet of coal-fired power stations.

The Hazelwood power station and coal mineclosed after 52 years on March 31. The government is looking to extend the lifespan of other coal-fired power stations. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

This would prevent the need for multiple closures of coal-fired generators in the Latrobe Valley, where emissions from brown coal are highest, while also ensuring the transition to higher renewables does not lead to instability in the grid.

A 50-year rule would either dictate that coal-fired power stations have to modernise or close their operations after 50 years or else set a cap on the emissions a power station could generate based on an expected 50-year lifespan, reports the paper.

The proposal for providing certainty for coal-fired power stations comes as a Greens-led Senate committee yesterday called for the government to withdraw all support for new coal-fired power and plan for the retirement of existing plants.

Read more at The Australian.