Coal is still KING: Shocking chart shows how Australia’s largest state relies on fossil fuels for power
- Coal power is the dominant source of electricity for New South Wales
- During the heat wave it provided two thirds of the energy
- Radio host fears the worst as coal-fired power plants close
Stark numbers reveal a state’s overwhelming energy dependence on fossil fuels, even as it prepares to shut down two major coal-fired power plants.
On Wednesday, Sydney 2GB radio host Ben Fordham noted on air that the city’s previous two hot days, where temperatures soared to around 35C, nearly led to blackouts in New South Wales.
He said the state power market operator activated an amber alert to urgently ask for more power from the grid as it struggled to keep air conditioners running.
Fordham said that during the 48-hour period coal was the dominant source of power, contributing 68 percent of the power used.
The remaining third of power came from gas, which contributed a paltry two percent, hydro was five percent, while wind and solar generated 12 and 13 percent respectively.
During a two-day heat wave, coal still proved to be the dominant source of power for New South Wales, according to radio host Ben Fordham.
Fordham said coal had generated nearly 73 percent of the state’s energy needs over the past year, something not acknowledged by NSW Coalition Energy Minister Matt Kean or his federal Labor counterpart, Chris Bowen.
“I think there are some politicians who owe us all an apology because the way they have demonized coal and gas has left us all vulnerable,” Fordham said.
“Coal is still the most vital energy source (but) those days are coming to an end.”
Fordham noted that the Liddell power plant in the N SW Hunter region, which provides about 10 percent of the state’s coal-fired electricity, will close in March.
Fordham was scathing about Australia’s energy policies saying politicians owed the public an apology for ‘demonising coal’
Australia’s largest fossil fuel power plant, Eraring Station on the central coast of New South Wales, which provides a quarter of the state’s coal-fired power and 10 per cent of Australia’s total power, will close in 2025.
The closure is seven years earlier than previously planned following a surprise decision by owner Origin.
“In less than two years, say goodbye to Liddell and say goodbye to Eraring – there’s nothing to replace them,” Fordham said.
‘That removes about 30 per cent of the power from the grid.
“Outage warnings will be as regular as our 2GB traffic warnings.”
Fordham said the plan to replace the plants was “just disgraceful”
He noted that the gas plant being built in the city of Kurri Kurri is a year behind schedule, a proposed ‘super battery’ will only store around two hours of power for the state and there were major questions about the hydrogen/hydro project. Snowy 2.0.
“No one is suggesting that (the proposed replacements) compensate for coal plants,” Fordham said.
Fordham predicted that as a result of the loss of coal, electric power prices will rise “as if they weren’t high enough already.”
The talkback host referred to an article by former ACTU chief and Labor MP Jennie George, which appeared in The Australian on February 15, arguing that heavy industry in New South Wales would suffer from power shortages when power plants shut down. coal.
NSW Energy Minister Matt Kean (pictured right at the musical Rocky Horror Picture Show in Sydney in February) was a particular target of Fordham over energy concerns.
“Relying on renewables and battery power will not be enough for local industry,” Fordham said.
“We need to keep these coal plants running until renewables can take the load.”
He urged NSW Premier Dominic Perrott to act urgently to make this happen.
Fordham also noted that Germany reopened 20 coal plants for the winter, while China and India were adding fossil fuel power in large quantities.
“The rest of the world must think we are idiots,” Fordham said.
‘We have this material (charcoal) coming out of our ears.
‘And the people in charge don’t want to use it, what a monumental failure.’