Victorian power plant worker Tony Wolfe backs change from coal to run our power grid

Latrobe Valley power plant worker Tony Wolfe has worked in the coal-fired power generation industry for 40 years. But he says it’s time for change.

What comes next?

It’s the basic question the state’s coal industry needs answered as the nation moves towards a net zero economy, veteran Latrobe Valley power plant worker Tony Wolfe says.

“We need to know what the next industry is going to be?” he said.

“What comes next? The plants are closing down, nobody is building new ones and yet we haven’t decided on what will replace it.”

Loy Yang electrician Tony Wolfe. Picture: Alex Coppel

Mr Wolfe has worked in the coal-fired power generation industry for 40 years.

He started an electrical apprenticeship with the State Electricity Commission when he was 15 and now works as a unit controller at Loy Yang Power Station.

Mr Wolfe admits he is more enthusiastic about the potential of renewables and other new industries to provide future jobs than many in the coal industry.

But while the views on the longevity of coal among his co-workers vary – shaped by opinion around the potential for carbon capture and renewable energy storage technologies – there was a growing recognition that the power source was in decline.

“I think there is an acceptance now that something different will dominate the generation market,” he said.

“The workforce wants to know what will replace it? What are we going to use?”

Mr Wolfe has become a key advocate of the renewable energy sector and sits on the community advisory group for the Star of the South project, the nation’s first offshore wind farm proposed off the coast of Gippsland.

Pumped hydro, energy intensive manufacturing and hydrogen all offered potential for the region, Mr Wolfe said.

“We have a fantastic connection to the national electricity grid,” he said.

“We have used that to put power into the system but we can also use that to draw power out. That means there is a ready source of available power for heavy energy intensive manufacturing. There are plenty of opportunities – we just need some direction.”

For more on this series go to: www.missionzero2050.com.au

Share your feedback or story: [e-mail]

Originally published as Victorian power plant worker Tony Wolfe backs change from coal to run our power grid