- Muja C Unit 6 retirement to be pushed back six
months to April 2025
- Reserve outage mode will support electricity
stability over the summer period
- Operational decision in line with latest independent
energy forecasts to further mitigate electricity supply risks and has minimal
impact to workforce
- No impact to WA Government's phased transition to
cleaner, reliable and affordable energy
Unit
6 at Muja C Power Station will be made available during the 2024-25 high demand
period to ensure wider energy system security during the hot summer months, in
line with updated forecasts by the independent Australian Energy Market
Operator (AEMO).
Synergy's
Unit 6 in Collie will be placed on reserve outage mode from 1 October 2024 until
1 April 2025.
During
reserve outage mode, AEMO will be able to request, with three days' notice, that
Unit 6 be made available for significant peak demand events.
This
will not impact the planned retirement of the State's remaining coal-fired units
by 2030, with Collie and Muja Power Stations scheduled to close in 2027 and
2029 respectively.
Muja
C Unit 6 was previously scheduled to be retired in October 2024, as part of the
WA Government's phased transition to retire all State coal-fired power stations
by 2030 and meet its net zero emissions target by 2050.
Comments attributed to Energy Minister Bill Johnston:
"The
Cook Government is adapting to the changing energy landscape to ensure a secure
energy supply for residents.
"Putting
Unit 6 at Muja in reserve outage mode will allow us to call on the unit, if
needed, during periods of high demand.
"Western
Australia has the most remote stand-alone energy system in the world and the
supply of reliable electricity to residents is the highest priority.
"This
will have minimal impact on Synergy staff and contractors working at Muja Power
Station, where around five staff will be affected
