Eraring Power Station, Australia’s biggest coal-fired power plant, will be kept running until 2029 to support energy supply in New South Wales.
Owner Origin Energy was set to close the 2,880MW Eraring Power Station, located 130km north of Sydney, in August 2027 but has now agreed to keep all four of generator units running for another two years.
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The move addresses concerns that the electricity grid is not yet prepared to handle peak demand without the coal-fired power station.
A recent report by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) said the state could face blackouts if the plant retired as planned in 2027.
“Good progress is being made on the delivery of new energy infrastructure including major transmission works and projects like our large-scale battery at Eraring, but it has become clear Eraring Power Station will need to run for longer to support secure and stable power supply,” Origin Energy CEO Frank Calabria said in a statement.
“Our decision to keep Eraring operating until April 2029 provides more time for renewables, storage and transmission projects to be delivered, and reflects uncertainty regarding the reliability of Australia’s ageing coal and gas fleet.”
Related article: Wärtsilä to deliver Origin’s Eraring Battery Stage 4
It’s the second time Eraring’s planned closure has been pushed back.
Origin had previously targeted closure of the asset by as early as August 2025, but the company reached a deal with the New South Wales Government to delay the closure until 2027 to secure the state’s electricity supply.
