NSW government extends life of Australia’s biggest coal-fired power station by two years to 2027

Deal struck with Origin Energy, owner of 2.88-gigawatt Eraring plant near Lake Macquarie, to limit risk of electricity shortages as renewables come online

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Australia’s biggest coal-fired power station will remain operational for another two years after the New South Wales government signed a deal with its owner, Origin Energy, in a bid to limit the risk of electricity shortages until more renewables are built.

The agreement, announced on Thursday, involves NSW taxpayers underwriting the 2.88-gigawatt Eraring plant near Lake Macquarie to keep generating power beyond the scheduled closure date of August 2025 Origin had set two years ago.

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