<
https://reneweconomy.com.au/for-the-birds-cca-chair-matt-kean-questions-if-ageing-coal-plants-can-go-longer/>
"Coal stations are reaching their end of-life and need to be retired, the
Climate Change Authority chair says, regardless of moves to keep them running
longer.
The head of a top climate agency is casting doubt over the extended operating
life of Queensland coal power stations, suggesting they are already struggling
to stay online.
Climate Change Authority chair Matt Kean is unconvinced by the Queensland
government’s decision to keep the state-owned Callide power station open
longer.
“The idea that you can extend Callide – which, don’t forget, was out for the
last couple of years because it didn’t work – the idea you can extend that for
another 19 years is for the birds,” the former NSW Liberal minister said at the
Investor Group on Climate Change summit on Thursday.
“So just because they’re saying they’re going to extend these coal-fired power
stations, doesn’t mean they’re going to work.”
The coal-fired power station in central Queensland has been plagued with
problems, including an explosion and fire in 2021 that triggered widespread
blackouts.
Queensland Treasurer and Energy Minister David Janetzki says keeping the
state’s coal fleet operating “as long as needed”, rather than the 2035 closures
pursued by his predecessors, will underpin a clean energy transition “grounded
in the realities of consumer needs, infrastructure costs and deliverability
time frames”.
Environmental groups warn a longer operating life for coal could jeopardise
emissions-reduction goals, though the Queensland government maintains it can
still meet pre-existing state pollution cuts.
Kean told the summit replacing ageing coal-fired stations with wind, solar and
storage is key to meeting national climate goals of a 62-70 per cent emission
reduction by 2035, a range informed by Climate Change Authority guidance.
“Ninety per cent of the coal-fired power stations that have been underpinning
this economy will be at an end of technical life by 2035,” he said.
“We need to do this, regardless of what some of the naysayers say.”
Mr Kean also singled out diesel fuel rebates as a priority policy change at the
federal level, arguing the billions saved annually could instead be funnelled
into decarbonisation for businesses and households."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
