(Origin Energy)
Newy 87.8 FM – Origin Energy is planning the decommissioning, demolition and rehabilitation of Eraring power station ahead of its required closure by 30 April 2029.
The power station, on the shores of Lake Macquarie about 40 kilometres south of Newcastle, is Australia's largest, with four 720-megawatt coal-fired units.
On 20 January 2026, Origin advised the Australian Energy Market Operator it would operate Eraring until April 2029. Under its agreement with the NSW Government, Origin must cease operation of all units and deregister the power station by no later than 30 April 2029. The closure had previously been scheduled for August 2027.
The NSW Government says no taxpayer money has been paid under the agreement, with Origin declining the underwriting arrangement in both 2025-26 and 2026-27. The underwriting offer ends in 2027 and is not being extended.
The demolition and rehabilitation works require approval through the NSW State Significant Development process. Origin has said it planned to lodge a Scoping Report with the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure in mid-2026, with an environmental impact statement exhibition expected in mid-2028, a determination in 2029-2030 and works commencing from 2031. Federal approval under the EPBC Act will also be sought.
Origin has engaged a demolition contractor with power-station experience for early planning work. The company says rehabilitation aims to return the site to a condition suitable for potential future energy, industrial or technology uses, and it is also installing a large-scale battery at the site.
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