Articles

ENERGY Australia will convert the Yallourn W coal station site into a low-carbon emissions hub supplying data centres, industry and households, in an ambitious plan that will cost more than $5 billion.

Energy Australia, which is Australia’s third-largest electricity and gas retailer, said the scheme that it has quietly developed as the coal plant moves towards closing in 2028, will mean the Latrobe Valley has a long-term future in power supply, the Australian Financial Review reported.

In 2028, Yallourn power station and mine will close after more than a century of powering Victoria. For some, the soaring cooling towers define Yallourn, but ask anyone who’s worked there and they’ll tell you its true story. Yallourn has always been about the people.

Generations of families have worked here, since 1921 when the first temporary power station commenced generation. Among those families are the Hutchinsons, whose connection spans three generations and almost 100 years

After six years at Yallourn power station and more than 17 years working in coal-fired generation, Darren Rickard has taken a big step into the future of energy. On 18 August, Darren started as New Energy Mobilisation Lead in EnergyAustralia’s energy projects team, helping prepare our big battery projects for operation.

Darren says he’ll miss being part of Yallourn, a place where he’s been able to make a real difference.