AGL says Liddell coal plant will likely be 'repurposed' for battery or gas

AGL’s CEO has told the company’s annual general meeting the ageing Liddell coal-fired power station near Newcastle will most likely be converted after it closes in 2022, despite the Turnbull government seeking an extension to its operating life.

File image of the Liddell power station in the Hunter Valley near Newcastle. Source: AAP

AGL’s chair said the company would still “consider” Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s request to extend the coal plant’s operations for five years or sell it to another operator.

But CEO Andy Vesey said there were “attractive opportunities” to repurpose the site.

One option is to replace the old coal-fired plant with a new gas-fired plant, making use of the site’s existing connections to the electricity grid. The company could also build a battery for storing renewable energy.

“Repurposing the site would offer high-quality jobs for decades to come,” Mr Vesey told the meeting.

The company also told shareholders the energy produced by Liddell could be replaced with other projects.

“We believe the bulk of the eight terawatt hours of energy needed to match Liddell’s output can come from new renewables projects, as we believe this is the most cost-effective option,” Mr Vesey said.

Mr Vesey also acknowledged a need for “firm, flexible” power that can be provided on demand, regardless of the weather.

He flagged upgrades to the Bayswater coal-fired power station located close to Liddell, new gas-fired power plants and new batteries for renewables.