An Australian Senate inquiry into the retiring of coal-fired power stations tabled its interim report and recommendations in Parliament on Monday night.
Authored by the Environment and Communications References Committee, the report advises Australia should transition from coal-generated electricity in an orderly fashion – and soon.
Calling it a “wake-up call for the government,” Committee chair Senator Larissa Waters said Australia’s electricity market is experiencing a dramatic transformation, but it must be managed.
The rapid uptake of renewable energy sources including wind energy, solar power and complementary technologies such as battery storage has caught many by surprise. Added to the clean energy revolution is increasing pressure for Australia to rein in its carbon emissions.
There are 24 coal fired power stations currently operating in Australia, with only four at this point having a decommissioning date. With the exception of Hazelwood, to be decommissioned next year, the three others won’t be shuttered for quite some time. In the case of Loy Yang A, that won’t be until 2048.
Over the last 6 years, at least 8 coal-fired power stations in Australia have been mothballed or closed.
The report makes four recommendations
- The Australian Government should adopt a comprehensive energy transition plan, which should include National Electricity Market rule reform.
- The Australian Government, in consultation affected stakeholders, should develop a strategy for the orderly retirement of coal fired power stations to be presented to the COAG Energy Council.
- A pollution reduction objective should be put in place in harmony with Australia’s obligations under the Paris Agreement in the National Electricity Objectives.
- The establishing of an energy transition authority with the resources and clout to plan and coordinate the transition of the energy sector, including a ” Just Transition” for workers and communities.
Greens energy spokesman Adam Bandt called the tabling of the report a “red-letter day for clean energy”.
The interim report can be downloaded here (PDF).
The tide is rapidly turning against coal; both here and overseas. Just recently, Finland’s government tabled an energy strategy that would see the end of coal-fired generation in the country and also the importing of electricity produced by coal. Last week, Canada’s government announced the end of conventional coal-fired electricity generation in the country by 2030.
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