Coal and gas fired power stations
Renewable energy
AGL owns 0.1% of Tilt Renewables, Australia's largest privately owned renewable energy company.[47]
Upstream gas projects
In 2015 the New South Wales Environment Protection Authority ordered the suspension of AGL's Gloucester operations after finding toxic chemicals had been introduced into Hunter Water's systems.[48] The EPA subsequently found no "evidence of harm to the environment or pollution of waters"[49] and AGL was allowed to continue its Gloucester operations.[50]
In February 2016, AGL announced that exploration and production of natural gas assets would no longer be a core business for the company. This followed years of campaigning, including protests at shareholder meetings and a non-violent blockade of exploration sites, by anti-CSG community group Groundswell Gloucester.[51] This announcement included clarification that AGL would not proceed with the Gloucester gas project and that it would cease production at the Camden Gas Project in South West Sydney in 2023, twelve years earlier than previously proposed.[52]
AGL has implemented a decommissioning and rehabilitation program for its well sites and other infrastructure in the Gloucester region.[53] In November 2016, AGL commenced the progressive decommissioning and rehabilitation of wells at the Camden site.[54]
Power generation projects in development
Coopers Gap Wind Farm
In August 2017, it was announced that the Coopers Gap Wind Farm would proceed to construction, with AGL securing funding from the Powering Australian Renewables Fund.[44] When completed the 453 MW Coopers Gap Wind Farm will be the largest in Australia.[55] The final wind turbine at the Coopers Gap Wind Farm was completed in April 2020.
Silverton Wind Farm
In May 2017, it was announced that construction had commenced on the 200 MW Silverton Wind Farm in north western New South Wales.[45]
Barker Inlet Power Station
Coopers Gap Wind Farm
In August 2017, it was announced that the Coopers Gap Wind Farm would proceed to construction, with AGL securing funding from the Powering Australian Renewables Fund.[44] When completed the 453 MW Coopers Gap Wind Farm will be the largest in Australia.[55] The final wind turbine at the Coopers Gap Wind Farm was completed in April 2020.
Silverton Wind Farm
In May 2017, it was announced that construction had commenced on the 200 MW Silverton Wind Farm in north western New South Wales.[45]
Barker Inlet Power Station
In June 2017, AGL announced the development of a new $295 million gas-fired generator in South Australia. The Barker Inlet Power Station, will replace two of the four Torrens Island A turbines which are expected to be decommissioned in late 2020. The island's B turbines will continue to operate as usual.[56] The Barker Inlet Power Station was officially completed and handed over to AGL in early 2020.
Crib Point Gas Import Jetty
In August 2017, Crib Point Import Jetty was announced as the preferred location for a new terminal importing gas from other markets.[57] The project was expected to cost $250 million, with construction expected to commence in 2021.[58]
In 2021, the Andrews State Government halted the project, despite gas shortages being forecasted, forcing AGL to announce that it would no longer proceed with the project.
Kanmantoo pumped hydro
In April 2019, AGL announced that it had acquired the right to develop a pumped hydroelectric energy storage project in the mined-out main pit of the Kanmantoo mine on the eastern side of the Adelaide Hills in South Australia.[59] The project is expected to be capable of storing and generating 250MW of electricity from 2024.[60] In early 2020, AGL announced that it would not be proceeding with the Kanmantoo Pumped Hydro project.
Carbon emissions output
AGL currently owns three coal-burning power stations which produce a majority of its power generation.[61] The Australian Government Clean Energy Regulator publishes an annual list of the ten largest emitters of greenhouse gases. In the 2019-20 financial year, AGL came first place on the list, with reported emissions of 42.4 million tonnes,[3] which is equivalent to nine million cars on the road.
AGL is responsible for more than double the carbon emissions of Australia's second-biggest electricity generator, and more than BHP, Rio Tinto, Glencore, and Qantas combined. AGL's coal-burning power stations are responsible for eight per cent of Australia's total national emissions.
