Victorian Gov’t refutes newspaper’s Yallourn extension claims

Coal-fired Yallourn Power Station with smoke pouring from smokestacks (energyaustralia AP4CA)
EnergyAustralia's Yallourn Power Station in the Latrobe Valley

The Victorian Government has refuted claims published in The Australian alleging there were plans being discussed to keep Yallourn, one of Australia’s biggest coal power stations, open for four more years.

Related article: Yallourn closure brought forward

“In an article published on the evening of 18 March 2025, The Australian has falsely claimed that EnergyAustralia, the Victorian Department of Energy Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) and the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) have held talks about extending the operations of Yallourn Power Station beyond 2028,” a joint statement from the Victorian Premier and Minister for Energy and Resources said.

“DEECA, AEMO and EnergyAustralia have confirmed that the claims are wrong.

“The three agencies also confirm that no such discussions have occurred and nor have there been ‘rolling talks’.

“AEMO has not advised the Victorian Government that Yallourn would need to be extended beyond 2028, as claimed in The Australian.

“Before publication, EnergyAustralia confirmed to The Australian that the plant would close in 2028.”

The statement said The Australian did not contact the Victorian Government for comment prior to publication of the article.

Related article: New analysis says pushing Eraring past 2027 is a ‘lose lose’

The Australian is published by News Corp Australia, an asset of News Corp, whose chairman and founder is Rupert Murdoch.

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