The Gladstone Power Station will close six years earlier than expected.
The station, which is Queensland’s largest and oldest coal-fired power station, was scheduled to close in 2035, but will now close in 2029.
Workers at the station were notified this morning.
The power station has six units fed from Rolleston Coal Mine and is operated by NRG Gladstone Operating Services, with Rio Tinto the majority stakeholder.Â
Speaking in Cairns on Wednesday morning, Premier David Crisafulli said he was unaware of the impending announcement.
“I’ll make the observation that we are genuinely optimistic about the future of mining and manufacturing in this state, which is why we need to get an energy plan which is affordable, reliable and sustainable,” he said.
“If we do that, we can make sure we underpin manufacturing for years to come.”
Rio Tinto has committed to transforming its Boyne Island smelter to renewable energy. (Supplied: Boyne Smelters)
The Queensland Conservation Council (QCC) said the mine’s early closure was evidence that heavy industry and the private sector were getting on with the transition to cheaper renewable energy.
“Rio Tinto is Queensland’s biggest energy user and they’ve made it clear they can’t keep their Gladstone operations and smelter globally competitive relying on expensive coal power,” QCC director Dave Copeman said.
“We are calling on the Crisafulli government to stop playing politics and be up-front with the community by planning for the timely closure of the state’s other ageing coal power stations.
“We can’t keep throwing billions of taxpayer dollars at failing and polluting coal, and cross our fingers and hope it will keep the lights on.”Â
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