AGL has put plans for its proposed $400 million Newcastle gas-fired power station at Tomago on public exhibition and the community is being called on to provide feedback.
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If approved, the state significant infrastructure project, which is an integral part of the company's strategy to offset the shutdown of Liddell power station between 2022 and 2023, will create 300 construction jobs and employ 23 people when operational.
Located between the Pacific Highway and Old Punt Road on a site previously permitted for a power plant, the project will allow for a fast start operation using either reciprocating engines or gas turbines.
"AGL is committed to investing in new generation, in order to improve the reliability of the NSW energy system and affordability for our customers," AGL chief executive Brett Redman said.
"This proposed power station has a capacity of 250 megawatts and will deliver rapidly dispatchable power for homes and businesses across NSW during periods of high demand.
"As Australia's electricity market adapts to a significant increase in renewable energy, we're focused on our contribution to creating a secure energy system."
The NSW Department of Planning, Industry and the Environment is exhibiting AGL's environmental impact statement for the station until Wednesday, December 18 on its website. It will also be available to see on the Port Stephens, Newcastle and Maitland council websites.
The department's executive director for energy and resource assessments, Mike Young, said community input is a vital part of the planning process and encouraged everyone to have their say on the Environmental Impact Statement for the power station.
"We want to hear the community's views, to help us make a thorough and rigorous assessment and ensure any potential concerns are considered," Mr Young said.
"Once the exhibition closes on December 18, AGL will need to respond to all matters raised in submissions before the Department assesses the proposal.
The Planning and Public Spaces Minister will make the final decision on the proposal given its Critical State Significant Infrastructure status.
AGL hopes to start construction of the project in the first quarter of 2021 and have it operating in 2022 to coincide with the closure of the Liddell power station.
Key features of the project include: A dual fuel power station capable of operating on natural gas and or liquid fuel (diesel); Gas pipelines to store gas and to connect the power station to existing gas supply sources including the Jemena Gas Network and AGL's Newcastle Gas Storage Facility via AGL's existing pipeline and; electricity transmission lines to transfer the electricity produced by the NPS to the national electricity network.
The plant will produce a fraction of the emissions produced by Liddell.
See the plans here: planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/project/9951
