“The question is not if coal fired power stations will close, but how quickly and orderly these closures will occur, and what supporting policies, if any, will be in place to help manage the process,” the report said.
The report called for a comprehensive energy transition plan, with plenty of warning of closure, to ensure economic and energy security factors, such as the protection of energy supply and communities that rely on jobs in coal-related industries. The establishment of an independent “energy transition authority” was also recommended to coordinate the transition.
The report comes about a month after the unplanned closure of the Hazelwood coal station, and before the expected unplanned closure of several other coal stations.
Earlier in November, energy companies, environmental NGOs, unions and academics urged the government to devise an orderly transition away from coal-generated electricity during two public hearings.
Currently, coal fired generation (both brown and black coal) makes up 78 percent of electricity generation across the National Electricity Market. Most of Australia's coal stations are over 30 years old.
