Origin Energy, Australia's coal-fired power station in NSW, will continue to operate until 2029

Origin Energy announced on Tuesday that it will extend the operation all four?units?of its Eraring Power?Station?toApril 2029 to support energy supplies in New South Wales.

Eraring's 2,880-megawatt coal-fired power plant was scheduled to close in August 2027. A December report from the Australian Energy 'Market Operator (AEMO), however, said that Sydney could experience blackouts if the plant is retired as planned.

Australia aims to meet 82% of its energy needs with'renewable sources' by 2030.

Origin CEO Frank Calabria said in a press release that the decision to continue operating Eraring until April 2029 would give more time to deliver renewables, storage, and transmission projects. It also reflected uncertainty regarding Australia's aging gas and coal fleet.

The power producer stated that it has no plans to make major repairs or maintenance before the plant's retirement in 2029.

Origin announced that the battery development project at Eraring Plant would begin commercial operations in late 2025. The final stages are expected to be completed in the first quarter in 2027. (Reporting and editing by Alistair Bell, David Gregorio, and Jasmeen Shaikh in Bengaluru)

(source: Reuters)