AGL Energy Limited (AGL) is today preparing to curtail electricity use at the Tomago Aluminium Smelter in accordance with its agreement with the smelter.

AGL has provided significant notice to Tomago to allow them to make the necessary arrangements to safely manage their plant and people. This procedure has been implemented previously without adverse effect.

The commercial agreement has been in place with the smelter since 1991 and exists to give flexibility to AGL to manage its customer load during plant outages. In exchange for this flexibility, the smelter has gained commercial benefits under its supply contract.

This type of arrangement is common with smelters in Australia.

Since AGL’s ownership of Macquarie Generation, curtailment has been enacted four times, including yesterday’s curtailment of three hours and 20 minutes. 

With temperatures reaching above 40 degrees and high humidity in New South Wales today, AGL anticipates that energy demand will be high. 

The Bayswater Power Station is running at full capacity. The Liddell Power Station has been undergoing unavoidable maintenance due to boiler tube leaks and has two of its four units running at full capacity. A third unit is planned to return to service this afternoon in time for the peak demand, and the fourth unit is returning to service on 13 February. 

 

About AGL

AGL is one of Australia’s leading integrated energy companies. It is taking action to responsibly reduce its greenhouse gas emissions while providing secure and affordable energy to its customers. Drawing on over 175 years of experience, AGL serves its customers throughout eastern Australia with meeting their energy requirements, including gas, electricity, solar PV and related products and services. AGL has a diverse power generation portfolio including base, peaking and intermediate generation plants, spread across traditional thermal generation as well as renewable sources including hydro, wind, solar, landfill gas and biomass.