Biggest Australia Coal Plant to Shut Early as Renewables Surge

Eraring plant in New South Wales now set to close in 2025
Origin Energy plans to install a giant battery at the site

Coal Ports At Newcastle As Aussie Floods Add to Supply Concerns — Photographer: Brendon Thorne/Bloomberg

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By James Thornhill

February 16, 2022 at 9:44 PM UTC

Updated on

February 17, 2022 at 2:31 AM UTC

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Australia’s biggest coal-fired power plant is set to close seven years early, the latest fossil fuel retirement prompted by a surge of renewables that have driven down electricity prices.

Origin Energy Ltd. could shutter the Eraring facility, in a coal-mining region north of Sydney, as soon as August 2025 with the plant’s financial viability under threat. It follows rival AGL Energy Ltd., which last week announced plans to bring forward the closure of two of its coal plants.