Hope with Hydro

AGL is in negotiations to find a suitable site for hydro electricity generation as part of the closure of Liddell power station in 2022 and Joel Fitzgibbon MP said he was hopeful it would be in the Upper Hunter.

“AGL has to do their final numbers on pump hydro, but I’m confident it will proceed and if it does I’m very confident we will see that in the Upper Hunter,” Mr Fitzgibbon, federal member for Hunter said.

“I have absolutely no doubt that AGL’s proposal will create more jobs than would the extension of Liddell,” he said.

“The numbers proposed to save a few jobs for five years AGL’s investment proposal is about growing jobs for the next 50 years,” said Joel Fitzgibbon MP.

The plan by AGL also flags two solar farms to be incorporated into their electricity generation, but does not indicate where those farms may be based.

“With solar they have many options throughout the state so that remains open ended, but I’ve already begun lobbying on that point,” said Mr Fitzgibbon.

“It’s a great development it will assist us on your path to a clean energy future and it’ll retain and indeed grow jobs over time and ensure the Upper Hunter remains the powerhouse of New South Wales,” he said.

The Turnbull government gave a commitment to extend the life of Liddell, however on Saturday AGL announced it would not be extending the life of the power station (see Plans for Liddell’s Closure).

“The idea of extending Liddell was always a cruel hoax on Malcolm Turnbull’s part, he must have surely known it was never going to happen and he gave many people false hope,” said Mr Fitzgibbon.

“AGL was always going to put forward a superior proposition, in fact I’d already had discussions with them before Malcolm Turnball intervened, all he really did was put that investment at risk,” Joel Fitzgibbon MP said.