View source for Liddell Power Station

{{short description|Coal-fired power station in Australia}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2015}}
{{Use Australian English|date=October 2015}}
{{Infobox power station
| name = Liddell Power Station
| image = Liddell Power Station.jpg
| country = 
| location = near [[Muswellbrook]], [[New South Wales]]
| location_map = 
| location_map_size = 
| location_map_caption = 
| image_caption = Liddell Power Station in 2006
| coordinates = {{coord|32|22|19|S|150|58|38|E|type:landmark_region:AU-NSW|display=inline,title}}
| owner = [[AGL Energy]]
| status = D
| commissioned = 1971–1973
| decommissioned = 28 April 2023<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-04-27 |title=Australia's oldest coal-fired station Liddell powers down in the Hunter Valley |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-04-28/hunter-valleys-liddell-power-station-closures-after-52-years/102129426 |access-date=2023-04-28}}</ref>
| th_fuel_primary = [[Bituminous coal|Coal]]
| th_fuel_secondary = [[Fuel oil|Oil]]
| th_fuel_tertiary = 
| th_technology = [[Steam turbine]];<br/>[[Gas turbine]]
| th_feed_mine = 
| th_cogeneration = 
| th_combined_cycle = 
| ps_units_decommissioned = 4 × {{convert|500|MW}}<br/>2 × {{convert|25|MW}}<br/>1 × {{convert|0.85|MW}} [[hydroelectric|mini-hydro]]
| ps_units_manu_model = [[English Electric Company]]
| ps_cooling_source = [[Lake Liddell]]
| ps_thermal_capacity = 
| ps_electrical_capacity = 2051
| ps_electrical_cap_fac = 51.02% <small>(average 2017–2021)</small>
| ps_annual_generation = 8,938 GW·h <small>(average 2017–2021)</small>
| ps_annual_gen_year = 
| website = 
| extra = 
}}

'''Liddell Power Station''' is a decommissioned coal-fired [[thermal power station]] that had four {{convert|500|MW}} [[English Electric Company|EE]] [[Steam turbine|steam-driven turbine]] [[alternator]]s, providing a combined electrical capacity of {{convert|2000|MW}}. 

Its operating capacity was assessed at {{convert|1680|MW}} in April 2018.<ref>[http://www.afr.com/business/energy/electricity/the-fight-about-agls-liddell-power-station-explained-20180409-h0yju5 The fight about AGL's Liddell power station explained] ''[[Australian Financial Review]]'' 9 April 2018</ref> Commissioned between 1971 and 1973, the station is located adjacent to [[Lake Liddell]], near [[Muswellbrook]] in the [[Hunter Valley]] of Australia.

Unit 3 was taken out of service on 1 April 2022. Subsequently, Unit 4 was decommissioned on 24 April 2023, followed by Unit 2 on 26 April 2023. The last unit, Unit 1, was removed from service on 28 April 2023.

==History==
In September 1964, the [[Government of New South Wales]] announced its intention to construct the Liddell Power Station and create a lake for cooling, [[Lake Liddell]].<ref>[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/131752041 Power station to revive the coal industry] ''[[Canberra Times]]'' 1 October 1964 page 27</ref> The first of four generators was completed in 1971, two more in 1972, and the fourth in 1973. At the time of completion, Liddell was the most powerful generating station in Australia. It was also the first major power station in New South Wales to be built inland, using fresh water for cooling instead of the more abundant saltwater used in coastal power stations. To accommodate this change, Lake Liddell was created to provide cooling, requiring an 11-kilometre section of the [[Main Northern railway line]] to be rebuilt on a new alignment.<ref>Liddell Track Deviation ''[[Network (periodical)|Network]]'' July 1966 page 3</ref><ref>Seven-Mile Rail Deviation to Bypass Power Stn Project ''[[Railway Transportation]]'' October 1966 page 9</ref> The completion of Liddell aided in the retirement of power stations in [[Sydney]], such as [[Balmain Power Station|Balmain]] and [[Bunnerong Power Station|Bunnerong]].

Originally, the plant was fitted with the then-standard electrostatic precipitators for dust collection, and the more efficient fabric filters (similar to those used at [[Eraring Power Station|Eraring]], [[Munmorah Power Station|Munmorah]] units 3 and 4, [[Vales Point Power Station|Vales Point]] 5+6, [[Bayswater Power Station|Bayswater]], and [[Mount Piper Power Station|Mount Piper]]) were retrofitted in the early 1990s, reducing particulate emissions to a barely visible level. Much of the coal was supplied by overland [[conveyors]] from mines it shared with the nearby Bayswater Power Station.

In 2007, a project commenced at Liddell to replace some of the station's boiler feed-water with hot water from a [[Solar thermal energy|solar thermal array]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.macgen.com.au/News/2006News/LiddellSolarProjectUpdate.aspx |title=Liddell Solar Project Update |publisher=Macquarie Generation |access-date=17 March 2007 }}</ref> By March 2007, the project had reached a second-stage prototype but had not been connected to the power station. Subsequently, a 9 MW solar section was added to the Liddell coal-fired generator, but it has now effectively been closed. Analysts say that the incentive to use the solar boost was reduced by the removal of the [[carbon price]] and excess coal supply.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://reneweconomy.com.au/cs-energy-pulls-plug-on-worlds-largest-solar-booster-project-16737/ |title=CS Energy pulls the plug on the world's largest "solar booster" project |date=21 March 2016 |publisher=RE New Economy |author=Giles Parkinson}}</ref>

Liddell Power Station was owned by the [[Electricity Commission of New South Wales]], with ownership transferred to [[Macquarie Generation]] in 1996.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.macgen.com.au/|title="Macgen Website"}}</ref> In September 2014, Liddell was included in the sale of Macquarie Generation by the New South Wales government to [[AGL Energy]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.agl.com.au/about-agl/media-centre/asx-and-media-releases/2014/september/agl-completes-acquisition-of-macquarie-generation-assets |title=AGL completes the acquisition of Macquarie Generation assets |date=2 September 2014 |publisher=[[AGL Energy]] |access-date=16 January 2018}}</ref>

==Alternative fuel sources==
In addition to the coal-fired steam turbines, Liddell Power Station also operates two [[General Electric Company|GEC]] 25 MW [[fuel oil|oil]]-fired [[gas turbines]]<ref name="MacGenCorpIntent">{{cite web|url=http://www.macgen.com.au/About_us/AnnualReport05/MG%20SCI%2005-06.pdf |title=Statement of Corporate Intent 2005/2006 |publisher=Macquarie Generation |date=13 December 2005 |access-date=5 August 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060819045828/http://macgen.com.au/About_us/AnnualReport05/MG%20SCI%2005-06.pdf |archive-date=19 August 2006 }}</ref> and a 0.85 MW mini-[[hydroelectric]] generator.<ref name="MacGenCorpIntent"/><ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.macgen.com.au/news/2000%20news/news_000207.htm |date=7 February 2000 |publisher=Macquarie Generation |access-date=5 August 2006 |title=Liddell Power Station |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060331225600/http://www.macgen.com.au/news/2000%20News/news_000207.htm |archive-date=31 March 2006 }}</ref> The power station is also "licensed to co-fire plant [[biomass]] and coal to produce electricity," allowing it to utilize [[sawdust]] and wood shavings from the nearby [[timber industry]] as a portion of its fuel, replacing up to 5% of its coal requirements.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.macgen.com.au/about_us/renewables_%20intro.htm |title=Renewable energy |publisher=Macquarie Generation |access-date=5 August 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060719194534/http://macgen.com.au/about_us/Renewables_%20intro.htm |archive-date=19 July 2006 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.macgen.com.au/environment/enviro_biomass.htm |title=Biomass Co-firing |publisher=Macquarie Generation |access-date=5 August 2006 }}{{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> However, in practice, biomass accounts for only about 0.5% of Liddell's total output.{{citation needed|date=June 2012}}

==Greenhouse emissions==
According to estimates from [[Carbon Monitoring for Action]], Liddell Power Station emits approximately 14.70 million tonnes of [[greenhouse gases]] annually due to burning coal.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://carma.org/plant/detail/25185 |publisher=Carbon Monitoring for Action |access-date=7 June 2012 |year=2007 |title=Plant overview: Liddell}}</ref> In 2010, the Australian Government introduced a [[Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme]] to combat climate change. This scheme has had an impact on emissions from power stations. The National Pollutant Inventory provides details of various pollutant emissions, including [[carbon monoxide]], which was estimated to be {{convert|1,000,000|kg}} for the year ending 30 June 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.npi.gov.au/npidata/action/load/individual-facility-detail/criteria/state/NSW/year/2011/jurisdiction-facility/151 |title=Liddell Power Station, Muswellbrook NSW |work=Carbon Monitoring for Action |publisher=Commonwealth of Australia: Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities |access-date=7 June 2012 |date=30 March 2012 }}</ref> A ''[[Freedom of Information Act 1982|Freedom of Information]]'' request in 2018 revealed that Liddell is permitted to emit three times more nitrogen oxide than the amount allowed under best practice guidelines.<ref>{{cite news|title=Liddell power station given special pollution exemption, documents reveal|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-22/liddell-toxic-gas-emissions/9785688 |access-date=22 May 2018|work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]|date=22 May 2018|language=en-AU}}</ref>

== Operations ==
The generation table uses [[eljmkt nemlog]]<ref>[https://nemlog.com.au/ Nemlog]</ref> to obtain generation values for each year. Records date back to 2011.<!--The URL must be formatted as: "http://nemlog.com.au/show/unit/YYYYMMDD/YYYYMMDD/?k1=GENCODE" Liddell's codes are LD01, LD02, LD03 and LD04 so those are used.-->
{| class="wikitable"
|+Liddell Power Station generation (MWh)
!Year
!Total
!LD01
!LD02
!LD03
!LD04
|-style="text-align: right;"
!2011
|8,298,580
|2,505,649
|2,005,141
|938,923
|2,848,867
|-style="text-align: right;"
!2012
|7,865,039
|2,462,253
|2,132,226
|1,264,696
|2,005,864
|-style="text-align: right;"
!2013
|6,919,912
|2,202,551
|1,307,724
|2,957,380
|452,257
|-style="text-align: right;"
!2014
|7,585,713
|1,794,219
|1,615,699
|1,923,304
|2,252,491
|-style="text-align: right;"
!2015
|8,561,448
|814,969
|2,468,106
|2,306,802
|2,971,571
|-style="text-align: right;"
!2016
|9,037,331
|2,409,097
|2,087,540
|2,361,397
|2,179,297
|-style="text-align: right;"
!2017
|8,212,654
|1,884,395
|1,333,847
|2,619,564
|2,374,848
|-style="text-align: right;"
!2018
|9,147,807
|2,634,806
|2,413,888
|1,214,612
|2,884,501
|-style="text-align: right;"
!2019
|10,789,224
|2,825,008
|2,710,277
|3,057,329
|2,196,610
|-style="text-align: right;"
!2020
|8,350,728
|2,044,901
|1,410,233
|2,230,925
|2,664,669
|-style="text-align: right;"
!2021
|8,189,336
|2,139,589
|2,245,543
|1,570,906
|2,233,298
|}

==Closure and site rehabilitation==
AGL announced in 2015 and confirmed in 2017 that it intends to close the Liddell Power Station in 2022.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.agl.com.au/about-agl/media-centre/asx-and-media-releases/2017/september/agl-energy-statement-on-liddell-power-station |title=AGL Energy statement on Liddell Power Station |date=6 September 2017 |access-date=6 September 2017 |publisher=[[AGL Energy]]}}</ref> The closure of this and other coal-burning power stations in Australia led the [[Prime Minister of Australia|Prime Minister]] [[Malcolm Turnbull]] to seek advice from the [[Australian Energy Market Operator]] on extending the life of a number of them,<ref name=indaily>{{cite news |url=https://indaily.com.au/news/2017/09/06/turnbull-throws-weight-behind-coal-power/ |title=Turnbull throws his weight behind coal power |newspaper=[[InDaily]] |first=Paul |last=Osborne |date=6 September 2017 |access-date=6 September 2017}}</ref> to head off anticipated future electricity shortages.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theage.com.au/environment/liddell-power-plant-operating-below-40-per-cent-capacity-faces-mammoth-woes-20170907-gycij7.html |title=Liddell power plant operating below 40 per cent capacity, faces 'mammoth' woes|first=Peter|last=Hannam|date=7 September 2017|website=The Age}}</ref> Turnbull said the government had been advised that if the Liddell plant were to close in 2022, there would be a 1000MW gap in [[base load]], [[Dispatchable generation|dispatchable power generation]].<ref name=indaily/>  The [[Turnbull government]] asked AGL to keep Liddell open beyond 2022, or to sell the Liddell Power Plant to [[Alinta Energy]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Frydenberg pressures AGL to sell Liddell power station to Alinta|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-04-05/liddell-power-station-government-pressures-agl-to-sell-to-alinta/9620650 |access-date=22 May 2018|work=ABC News|date=5 April 2018|language=en-AU}}</ref> In August 2019, AGL announced that three of the turbines would be able to be kept running until April 2023, to ensure reliable power supply to New South Wales during the 2022–23 summer.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-08-02/agl-delays-defers-power-plant-closures-to-avoid-summer-blackouts/11377876 |title=AGL defers Liddell, Torrens power plant closures in bid to avoid summer blackouts |work=[[ABC Newcastle]]|first1=Giselle |last1=Wakatama |first2=Liz |last2=Farquhar |date=2 August 2019 |access-date=2 August 2019}}</ref>
In December 2018, a proposed upgrade to the Bayswater Power Station was approved to be completed around the same time as the proposed closure of Liddell. Both are owned by AGL Energy and consume coal from the same mine. The upgrade approval did not impose tighter air emission controls, however AGL claimed that the closure of Liddell would result in a net improvement in air quality.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/5800107/liddell-closure-allows-bayswater-upgrade-without-tougher-air-controls/?cs=7573 |title= Upper Hunter air quality will improve 'significantly' after Liddell closes, says Bayswater upgrade report |first=Joanne |last=McCarthy |newspaper=[[Newcastle Herald]] |date=8 December 2018 |access-date=8 December 2018}}</ref>

The demolition process is expected to commence in early 2024 and take approximately two years.  Work will include removal of all main structures (boilers, chimneys, turbine houses, coal plant) and ancillary buildings, and levelling of the site using recovered crushed concrete. More than 90 per cent of the materials in the power station are expected to be recycled during demolition, including 70,000 tonnes of steel, more than the total weight of steel works for the [[Sydney Harbour Bridge]]. Critical infrastructure, such as transmission connections, will be retained to support the ongoing use of the site as an industrial energy hub, helping provide employment and essential economic activity for the region. Planning approval has already been granted for a 500MW/2GWh grid-scale battery.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.agl.com.au/about-agl/media-centre/asx-and-media-releases/2023/january/agl-appoints-demolition-contractor-for-liddell-as-energy-hub-tak |title=AGL appoints demolition contractor for Liddell as energy hub takes shape |date=18 January 2023 |publisher=[[AGL Energy]] |access-date=30 April 2023}}</ref>

Unit 3 was removed from service on 1 April 2022. Unit 4 was removed from service on 24 April 2023. Unit 2 was removed from service on 26 April 2023. The last unit, Unit 1, was removed from service on 28 April 2023.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Doyle |first1=Blake |last2=Farquhar |first2=Liz |title=Liddell power station wind-down begins after 50 years of burning coal |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-01/liddell-power-station-closure-wind-down-coal/100957890 |access-date=13 April 2022 |work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] |date=1 April 2022 |language=en-AU}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-03-04 |title=Australia's oldest running coal-fired power station is about to close. Are bills set to rise? |language=en-AU |work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-05/liddell-coal-fired-power-station-about-to-close-what-comes-next/102027488 |access-date=2023-03-05}}</ref> Since April 2022, Liddell has typically been generating 750 MW on average.<ref name=Hannam2023>{{cite news |last1=Hannam |first1=Peter |title=Turning out the lights: what is the legacy of the Liddell power station? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/apr/15/turning-out-the-lights-what-is-the-legacy-of-the-liddell-power-station |work=The Guardian |date=14 April 2023}}</ref>

There is a 200-hectare dam containing 39m tonnes of [[coal ash]] at the Liddell site, and heavy metals have leached into Lake Liddell. AGL has earmarked $1.5 billion for cleanup of the Liddell, Bayswater, Torrens Island and Loy Yang A sites.<ref name=Hannam2023/>

Construction of a 500 MW / 1,000 MWh [[Battery energy storage system|grid battery]] started in 2025.<ref>{{cite web |title=First batteries installed as Liddell’s shuttered coal plant morphs into green energy hub |url=https://reneweconomy.com.au/first-batteries-installed-as-liddells-shuttered-coal-plant-morphs-into-green-energy-hub/ |website=RenewEconomy |language=en-AU |date=1 May 2025}}</ref>

==Future land use==
{{ad|date=April 2024}}
In late March 2024, [[Anthony Albanese]], the Australian Prime Minister at the time, unveiled a significant government initiative aimed at bolstering the nation's renewable energy sector. The announcement centered around a substantial investment of $1 billion to transform a designated site into a manufacturing hub for the Solar SunShot project. This initiative represents a strategic move towards fostering domestic production of solar panels, aligning with broader efforts to reduce carbon emissions and transition towards cleaner sources of energy. The [[Solar SunShot]] project aims to drive innovation and efficiency in solar panel technology. By establishing a stable manufacturing facility in Australia, the government seeks to stimulate economic growth but and to position the country as a leader in renewable energy production and innovation on the global stage. Such initiatives are crucial for mitigating the environmental impact of traditional energy sources and advancing towards a more sustainable and resilient energy future. This strategic investment not only has the potential to create jobs and drive economic development but also signifies a major step towards realizing Australia's renewable energy goals. It highlights the importance of proactive government policies and public-private partnerships in driving innovation and facilitating the transition to a greener, more sustainable energy landscape.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-03-27 |title=Anthony Albanese promises $1 billion to launch Australia solar panel production |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-03-28/anthony-albanese-announces-solar-sunshot-manufacturing-program/103639924 |access-date=2024-03-28 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref>

In June 2024, [[Peter Dutton#Energy and emissions|Peter Dutton]]{{Broken anchor|date=2025-05-24|bot=User:Cewbot/log/20201008/configuration|target_link=Peter Dutton#Energy and emissions|reason= The anchor (Energy and emissions) [[Special:Diff/1289684405|has been deleted]].|diff_id=1289684405}} said he intends, if elected, to build one of seven government-owned [[nuclear power plant]]s on this site, to be operational by 2035–2037.<ref name="crno24">{{cite news |title=Peter Dutton reveals seven sites for proposed nuclear power plants |first1=Tom |last1=Crowley |first2=Jane |last2=Norman |date=2024-06-19 |work=ABC News |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-06-19/dutton-reveals-seven-sites-for-proposed-nuclear-power-plants/103995310 |access-date=2024-12-25 }}</ref> as part of Australia's [[net zero emissions]] 2050 strategy.<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 June 2024 |title=Net Zero |url=https://www.dcceew.gov.au/climate-change/emissions-reduction/net-zero |access-date=19 June 2024 |website=Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Energy|Australia}}
* [[Energy in Australia]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category-inline}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070515122724/http://www.solarpaces.org/CLFR_COAL.HTM Proposed 38 MW solar thermal "coal saver" plant at Liddell]
*{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20090205151238/http://social.csptoday.com/content/solar-thermal-plant-liddell-power-station-gets-government-support Solar thermal plant at the Liddell Power Station gets government support]}}

{{Energy in New South Wales}}
{{Suburbs of Muswellbrook Shire}}
{{Hunter Region places and items of interest}}

[[Category:Former coal-fired power stations]]
[[Category:Muswellbrook Shire]]
[[Category:Energy infrastructure completed in 1971]]
[[Category:1971 establishments in Australia]]
[[Category:2023 disestablishments in Australia]]