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Australia's largest coal-fired power plant to close

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By Andrew BEATTY

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Environmental groups cheered the news, but other experts warned it underscored the need for Canberra to face the reality that coal-fired plants will soon be a thing of the past.

Facing reality is not something Scott Morrison's government seems very good at, pushing uneconomical coal plants and spending billions on nuclear subs for his imaginary war against China.

Meanwhile Australian companies seem to know what they are doing, good on ya Origin!

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Facing reality is not something Scott Morrison's government seems very good at, pushing uneconomical coal plants

Shut them down and replace capacity with renewables. Not a hard proposition to understand

and spending billions on nuclear subs for his imaginary war against China.

Nuclear subs are absolutely required for the RAN to help keep the peace, and if needed to defend out global maritime trade routes. Funny how China already has nuclear subs for the same reasons.

If getting nuclear submarines mean starting a war then I wonder who China has plans to attack with theirs? Not to mention Russia, UK, France, US, India and soon Brazil.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

The Mining and Energy Union said Eraring workers had been "blindsided" by the decision.

Follow the public opinion boys, this wasn't an unexpected outcome. Maybe they thought the corrupt politicians would back them forever, but I think the planet comes first.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

The move "puts affordability & reliability at risk", he tweeted.

And somehow the battery that Elon Musk installed in South Australia has lowered electricity prices and increase reliability. Maybe they could do the same.

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"The reality is the economics of coal-fired power stations are being put under increasing, unsustainable pressure by cleaner and lower-cost generation, including solar, wind and batteries," Calabria said.

and batteries....hmmm. Often when we solve a problem, we inevitably inevitably create another. Lithium is the metal in batteries of electric cars, but will we have enough lithium as we build more and more electric cars? So we go from gas to electric and create less carbon footprint but what footprints will we make in mining such a comparatively rate element on Earth?

Nuclear subs are absolutely required for the RAN to help keep the peace, and if needed to defend out global maritime trade routes. Funny how China already has nuclear subs for the same reasons.

If getting nuclear submarines mean starting a war then I wonder who China has plans to attack with theirs? Not to mention Russia, UK, France, US, India and soon Brazil.

Yes, we cannot say acquiring nuclear subs for one country is for defense and for another is for invasion. China and Australia are both spending for defense; with the US in mind for the former and China for the latter.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

2025! Why bother

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

Bobo - 2025! Why bother

There are many reasons. The main reason is to give the 350 employees a chance to find alternative employment. Another reason is, a newer more sustainable energy plant is being built to pick up the electricity output and it won’t be finished until 2025.

I worked at this plant some 40 odd years ago. It is huge! There are 12 large turbines that produce 25% of the state’s electricity. It can’t just be closed without an alternative.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

Peter14: If getting nuclear submarines mean starting a war then I wonder who China has plans to attack with theirs?

Australia of course, that is why you are buying the subs mate. Lol

Seriously though, do not misquote me. I said "fighting an imaginary war" not "starting an imaginary war".

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Seriously though, do not misquote me. I said "fighting an imaginary war" not "starting an imaginary war".

Already fought China once during Korean conflict. Another is a distinct possibility. Better to be ready than not. That is the reason all nations that have military forces, have them.

It is only an imaginary war until the first shot is fired then it gets very real very fast.

Relying on renewable energy is the future for everyone and most have been on that trail for years.

Coal fired plants and LNG plants will all be phased out and the sooner the better.

Often when we solve a problem, we inevitably inevitably create another. Lithium is the metal in batteries of electric cars, but will we have enough lithium as we build more and more electric cars?

Very true, but like other technology, battery tech is constantly being researched and other better means of power storage will eventually be found and used. Will it be soon enough to head off an issue of reliance and damage from Lithium, only time will tell. Ending coal use is the beginning, a necessary beginning.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Peter 14: Relying on renewable energy is the future for everyone and most have been on that trail for years.

Then how do you explain that Australians elect a government clearly on a different trail :

...despite the conservative administration's insistence on backing new coal projects.

Pro-coal government coalition MP Matt Canavan said the closure is "going to be a disaster," predicting high energy prices.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Then how do you explain that Australians elect a government clearly on a different trail :

Two choices for a government and both support Coal.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Pro-coal government coalition MP Matt Canavan said the closure is "going to be a disaster," predicting high energy prices.

Coincidentally MP Matt Canavan's electorate is the heartland for coal mining. What else would he say?

It is no secret that coal lobbyists have ensured the Australian government did not adapt to a 21st century economy, luckily true business acumen is showing the way, hence the coal plant shutdown.

The fact that they are replacing a coal fired power plant with a battery highlights the need for energy storage not 20th century energy generation methods.

Batteries however, may not be the preferred solution due to previously mentioned supply shortages of lithium. There are alternatives being developed that will allow better storage for the increasing excess renewable energy, that is being generated globally.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"For the many Lake Macquarie and Hunter Valley families that rely on the Eraring power station for their livelihoods, today's announcement creates uncertainty for the future," said union representative Robin Williams.

This is the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. Keeping a dying, toxic industry alive simply because people in that dying, toxic industry don’t want to have to go pick up more relevant skills and get new jobs is idiotic.

It’d be like outlawing cars because they’d put farriers out of business.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

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