News
POWER AND THE PASSION: Upper Hunter needs 'more than lip service' for a post-mining economy
March 01, 2022
MUSWELLBROOK mayor, Steve Reynolds, is calling for a genuine focus on future employment in the region as the nation awaits a return to the polls.
Read MoreHunter energy transition deserves billions from NSW government coal royalties, Professor Phillip O'Neill says
February 28, 2022
Coal royalties should be used to fund a Hunter Region transition program of up to $105 million a year for 25 years, Professor Phillip O'Neill says.
Read MorePOWER AND THE PASSION: Key steps in the Hunter's 'just transition' from coal to renewables
February 28, 2022
The recent announcements that the Hunter's coal-fired power stations will close by the end of the decade mean the region can not wait any longer to begin the massive task of transitioning to a clean energy economy.
Read MorePodcast: Hunter Valley locals reflect on an uncertain future
February 24, 2022
When white man first laid eyes on what is now Newcastle, more than 2 centuries ago, the first thing he noticed was rich seams of black marking the area's towering yellow and pink sandstone headlands: coal.
Read MoreAGL and Fortescue Future Industries will conduct 12 feasibility study into a green hydrogen production facility at Liddell
February 22, 2022
The Hunter's renewable energy infrastructure is second to none but it is the region's people who Twiggy Forrest says will be responsible for making the Hunter's clean energy revolution a reality. In an impassioned address, the mining billionaire urged workers at the ageing Liddell...
Read MoreThere’s real power in change – and jobs too
February 21, 2022
Origin Energy’s decision to bring forward the closure of its Eraring coal-fired power station – NSW’s largest – reflects the reality of a 21st-century power grid, and 21st-century economics.
Read MoreMike Cannon-Brookes lodges AGL takeover bid to ‘accelerate coal exit’
February 20, 2022
Tech billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes has teamed up with international fund manager Brookfield to launch an audacious takeover bid for Australian energy giant AGL with the intention of setting stronger emissions-reduction targets and forcing the early closures of its remaining coal-fired power stations.
Read MoreA train wreck’: what happens to workers and towns when the lights go out on coal power?
February 19, 2022
Eraring, the country’s largest coal-fired power station, will shut in three years, but transition plans for employees, communities – and the grid – are lacking
Read MoreOrigin Energy’s brings forward Eraring power plant closure to 2025, just days after AGL flagged early closures
February 17, 2022
Angus Taylor has warned Origin Energy’s early closure of NSW’s Eraring coal plant could result in more expensive power bills.
Read MoreEraring is only the beginning of the end for coal
February 17, 2022
The early closure of Australia’s biggest coal-fired power station in 2025 will test the energy grid and management of the inevitable transition from coal as these plants become uneconomic to operate.
Read MoreInterest in $100 billion worth of renewable energy projects registered for Hunter Valley coal region
February 16, 2022
Offshore wind farms, pumped hydro, and large scale battery storage are among more than $100 billion of private investment interest registered for a Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone (REZ).
Read MoreWhy the shutdown of AGL’s coal-fired plants will probably happen even sooner than power giant says
February 11, 2022
The two plants selected for early shutdown currently produce about 7% of Australia’s total carbon emissions
Read MoreAGL Energy warns market conditions may spur faster exit from coal
February 10, 2022
AGL Energy has conceded it may accelerate closure dates for two of Australia’s biggest coal plants again depending on market conditions.
Read MoreCommunities near coal-fired power stations support closure of sites and switch to renewables
February 09, 2022
Communities near Australia’s ageing coal-burning power stations support the closure of the polluting technology and want to see more done to assist the shift to renewables.
Read MoreKurri Kurri gas-fired power plant gets green light, after Labor backflip
February 06, 2022
The federal government has given the environmental green light to a $600m power plant at Kurri Kurri in NSW’s Hunter Valley, days after Labor did an about-face on its calls to halt the project.
Read MoreLabor will inject an extra $700 million into Snowy Hydro to make the Kurri peaker run on green hydrogen
February 02, 2022
Labor will provide Snowy Hydro Limited with an extra $700 million in equity to make the Kurri peaking plant operate on green hydrogen by 2030. The government has already invested $600 million into a gas-fired version of the project, which is intended to be...
Read MoreLabor supports Kurri Kurri gas plant – with conditions
February 01, 2022
Labor will support the Kurri Kurri gas plant in the NSW Hunter region if it wins government, with an important caveat. The party wants Snowy Hydro Limited to run the plant on 30 per cent green hydrogen, increasing to 100 per cent by 2030....
Read More3 local solutions to replace coal jobs and ensure a just transition for mining communities
January 18, 2022
The Conversation: Monday 17th January 2022 As the world shifts to renewable energy, helping the communities that have depended on fossil fuels for jobs is becoming ever more pressing.
Read MoreCoal closures could come faster under both major parties’ climate plans
December 09, 2021
Nearly 40 per cent of Australia’s coal-fired generation capacity will shut down by 2030, including the equivalent of three medium-sized power plants closing earlier than planned, under the greenhouse gas emission cuts promised by both major parties.
Read MoreFortescue Future Industries and AGL Energy aim to repurpose coal-fired power plant sites to generate green hydrogen
December 08, 2021
Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) and AGL Energy (AGL) have agreed to undertake a feasibility study to repurpose infrastructure at the Hunter Valley’s Liddell and Bayswater coal-fired power stations to generate green hydrogen from water, using renewable energy.
Read MoreAGL, Fortescue strike deal to turn Hunter coal plants into huge green hydrogen hub
December 08, 2021
Australia’s biggest polluter AGL Energy has struck a deal with iron ore billionaire and green hydrogen evangelist Andrew Forrest to turn its Hunter Valley coal fired power stations into a major renewable hydrogen and industrial hub.
Read MoreHunter must act fast to capitalise on clean energy opportunities
December 07, 2021
The clock is ticking on the Hunter's golden opportunity to reinvent itself as a thriving hydrogen economy, NSW Treasurer Matt Kean believes.
Read MoreIdemitsu Australia partners on study for export of Green Hydrogen and Ammonia at Port of Newcastle, Australia
November 22, 2021
Idemitsu Australia (IA) is proud to partner with Port of Newcastle Operations Pty Ltd (PON) and Macquarie Group’s Green Investment Group — a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed to jointly study the feasibility of export and bunkering of green hydrogen and ammonia...
Read MoreLatrobe Valley coal community already looking to future as COP26 delegates discuss end of fossil fuel
November 08, 2021
It is 17,335 kilometres from Glasgow to the brown-coal-powered electricity generators of Morwell in Victoria's Latrobe Valley. But they have never felt closer.
Read MorePrime Minister Scott Morrison unveils green hydrogen hub plan for Port of Newcastle
November 08, 2021
Prime Minister Scott Morrison says the Hunter Region will be crucial to the country's plan to reach net zero emissions by 2050 and jobs in "key industries" won't be sacrificed.
Read MoreIdemitsu's big plans for Muswellbrook
October 26, 2021
For more than a century, Muswellbrook Coal Mine has been the source of millions of tonnes of fuel for the world's coal-fired power stations. That legacy will end next year when the mine comes to the end of its working life, resulting in the...
Read MoreThis regional NSW coal town faces an uncertain future as COP26 approaches
October 21, 2021
Singleton locals are wary of a "transition" away from coal, the town's mayor says, as the Morrison government formulates its plan for a net zero target ahead of COP26.
Read MoreNSW Hydrogen strategy puts the Hunter Region in the box seat but experts warn there is no time to waste
October 14, 2021
Hunter industry groups have welcomed the State Government's hydrogen strategy but warned there is no time to lose if the region is to fulfil its potential as a national clean energy powerhouse.
Read MorePerrottet backs Australia’s biggest hydrogen plan to power state’s future
October 13, 2021
Dominic Perrottet has signed off on Australia’s largest hydrogen strategy in his first major cabinet decision as Premier, in a move that will see green hydrogen jobs in NSW outstrip those in the coal industry by 2050.
Read MoreTransGrid predicts early coal closures
October 13, 2021
Australia’s fleet of coal-fired power stations face early closure due to rampant growth in renewables in a fast-paced move that piles pressure on achieving an orderly transition to clean energy, a blueprint by transmission giant TransGrid shows.
Read MoreReport predicts 80pc reduction in coal jobs by 2050
September 30, 2021
Automation emerges as new frontier in coal jobs debate. The promise of jobs and royalties lies at the heart of the social contract between coal towns and mining companies.
Read MoreThinktank wants $259m in royalties directed to coalmining towns as renewables take over
September 29, 2021
Blueprint Institute report says ‘coal adaption authorities’ would provide income insurance and early retirement packages as fossil fuel demand wanes
Read MoreHunter coal exports under threat from Chinese Government's shift from away from offshore coal projects
September 24, 2021
China's decision to stop funding overseas coal projects represented a potential threat to the Hunter's multi-billion dollar coal export industry, NSW Environment and Energy Minister Matt Kean said.
Read MoreXi pledges to stop building coal-fired plants outside China
September 22, 2021
In a move designed to bolster Beijing’s climate credentials, President Xi Jinping of China said on Tuesday (Wednesday AEST) that his country would stop building coal-burning power plants overseas, ending its support for construction projects that rely on the world’s dirtiest fossil fuel.
Read MoreAGL board avoids spill but lashed on climate
September 22, 2021
AGL Energy’s embattled board has been dealt a humiliating defeat over an activist climate resolution proposed at its annual meeting that further ramps up pressure on emissions reduction ahead of its controversial demerger.
Read MoreFederal government declares Hunter a national hydrogen hub
September 20, 2021
The federal government has declared the Hunter as one of seven national hydrogen hubs that will supercharge the development of a multi-billion dollar export industry.
Read More'Highly uncertain': Upper Hunter Futures report backs urgent preparation for coal mining decline
September 17, 2021
The future of the Upper Hunter is "highly uncertain" and urgent action is needed if the region is to avoid the worst social and economic impacts of the coal market's decline, an internal State Government-commissioned report has warned.
Read MoreBHP tells miners in NSW Hunter to transfer interstate or resign as company prepares for sale
September 16, 2021
Up to 80 workers at New South Wales' largest coal mine have been ordered by BHP to accept transfers to interstate mines or resign from their positions.
Read MoreCoal companies allowed to delay environmental offsets on NSW mines for up to 10 years
September 08, 2021
Exclusive: At least nine mines have received special permission from regulators allowing them to avoid penalties. Promised environmental offsets for new and expanded coalmines in New South Wales have been delayed for years because governments have allowed companies to push back deadlines for protecting sites for conservation....
Read MoreTop UN official calls for Australia to urgently dump coal
September 06, 2021
The United Nations’ top climate official has urged Australia to have a “more honest and rational conversation” about urgently abandoning coal power, which he said was in the nation’s and the world’s best interests.
Read MoreHunter hydrogen hub to be accelerated with the establishment of a collaboration platform
August 23, 2021
Work to create a hydrogen hub in the Hunter will be accelerated with the establishment of a collaboration platform to bring together potential hydrogen producers and users.
Read MoreMount Arthur in the red as BHP announces oil and gas spin-off with Woodside Petroleum
August 18, 2021
EVEN the big rise in global coal prices has not been enough to stop a river of red ink through BHP's Mount Arthur coalmine in the company's annual results for the year to June 30.
Read More‘Negative value’: BHP struggles to offload NSW’s biggest coal pit
August 18, 2021
Mining giant BHP would pay a bidder about $275 million to take the biggest coal mine in NSW off its hands even as prices of the fossil fuel soar to levels not seen since 2008.
Read MoreNSW Parliamentary committee says the NSW Government should support Newcastle Container Terminal push
August 13, 2021
The NSW government should work to remove barriers preventing the development of a container terminal by the Port of Newcastle, a parliamentary committee into the sustainability of the state's energy supply and resources has recommended.
Read MoreWe must start planning now for our energy transition, to ensure no-one is left behind, says Independent Member for Sydney Alex Greenwich
August 13, 2021
"Longstanding coal communities, like those in the Hunter and Illawarra regions, have powered our state for a long time. Lack of planning and economic diversification by government has delayed the energy transition, at a great cost to their health, and the environment.
Read MoreTomago Aluminium to go green
August 11, 2021
The country’s biggest electricity user is aiming to switch to a predominantly renewable power supply in 2029 in a groundbreaking move that would dramatically reduce the carbon footprint of one of NSW’s largest carbon emitters.
Read MoreBlackRock joins Citi and HSBC in plan to close coal plants early
August 04, 2021
BlackRock and other major financial institutions are working on plans to accelerate the closure of coal-fired power plants in Asia in a bid to phase out the use of the worst man-made contributors to climate change.
Read MoreTougher conditions to force mining companies to rehabilitate sites in NSW
July 26, 2021
Mining companies will be forced to show plans for the ongoing rehabilitation of their mines and to report on their progress as the NSW government moves to tighten rules around environmental management.
Read MoreTwo in three coal jobs to go in the next 30 years
July 26, 2021
The global move away from fossil fuels will cost two in three workers their jobs across regions such as the Hunter Valley and central Queensland over the next three decades, according to a report that argues the impact will be even worse without investor support for...
Read MoreWind and solar set new production records as they reshape Australia’s grid
July 23, 2021
Wind and solar have set new production records in Australia’s main grid, for average generation over a quarter, record output in a single interval, and a record renewable energy share of 57 per cent in one interval in April.
Read More