Rio Tinto’s Gladstone Power Station set to close six years early

Queensland’s largest coal-fired power station is set to close six years earlier than expected.

Rio Tinto’s Gladstone Power Station, the oldest and largest of the state’s coal fired power stations, was set to close in 2035 but is now set to close in March 2029.

The Australian miner informed the Australian Energy Market Operator it would potentially retire the facility six years prior to the original 2035 date “aligning with the expiry of existing supply and operational arrangements”.

“No final decision has been made to retire GPS, which has operated since 1976, and there is potential to extend the life of the power station should market and other factors allow,” the company said in a statement.

Rio Tinto also reassured consumers that existing power supply contracts, which includes the second largest aluminium smelting operator in the country, would “remain in place until their scheduled expiry in March 2029”.

“Between now and March 2029, the JV participants will engage with stakeholders on the energy market and on options for the future use of the site, which will inform the timeline and strategy for retirement of the facility,” the statement read.

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