Overview
- Origin will keep all four units at the Eraring power station operating until 2029 after previously pushing the closure from 2025 to 2027.
- The company cites AEMO warnings that infrastructure gaps pose system security and blackout risks if the plant retires sooner.
- Eraring provides 2,880 megawatts from Lake Macquarie in NSW and contributes inertia that helps maintain grid stability.
- Origin is developing a 700 megawatt battery at the site targeted for mid-2027 with about 4.5 hours of storage to support the transition.
- A $450 million NSW risk‑sharing arrangement allowing up to $225 million per year in covered losses has not been used and is scheduled to end in August 2027, drawing criticism from climate and renewable advocates over extended coal use.