NSW in talks with owners of Eraring, Australia’s largest coal-fired power station, for ‘temporary’ life extension

Opponents call on Minns government to use the funds it would pay Origin to instead hasten rollout of rooftop solar and batteries

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The Minns government will “engage” with the owner of Australia’s biggest coal-fired power station for a “temporary” extension of its operating life, prioritising short-term energy security over emissions reductions.

A final cost and length of extending operations of the 2,880-megawatt Eraring power plant near Newcastle would hinge on negotiations with owner Origin Energy, the government said on Tuesday.

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