AGL is pleased to announce that Victorian Minister for Major Projects, Hon. Denis Napthine MP and local member for South West Coast on behalf of Victorian Minister for Planning, Hon. Matthew Guy MP, today approved the Tarrone Power Station Planning Scheme Amendment at the proposed site for the station in western Victoria, approximately 300km west of Melbourne.

The approval of this re-zoning is a key step in moving the development forward.

AGL's head of the power development unit, Scott Thomas said: "AGL can now continue its community consultation process and seek additional approvals and licences required to progress the development."

"We are very pleased that the Minister has been able to progress the approvals process and focus on positive infrastructure development for all Victorians."

The power station will be a gas fired peaking power station of up to 920MW that will help ensure that reliable electricity supply is available during times of peak consumer demand. It is proposed to be constructed in two stages with stage 1 employing a peak workforce of approximately 250 people.

The site is well located to leverage existing infrastructure, with an electricity transmission connection point on the site, gas that will be supplied via a new gas lateral (pipeline) approximately 8km in length that will be connected to the existing SEA Gas pipeline.

It is also the same parcel of land where the Tarrone terminal station is currently being constructed to connect AGL's Macarthur Wind Farm into the 500kV electricity transmission network.

AGL will continue to monitor market conditions prior to making a final investment decision on the proposed station.

About AGL

AGL is one of Australia's leading integrated renewable energy companies and is taking action toward creating a sustainable energy future for our investors, communities and customers. Drawing on 175 years of experience, AGL operates retail and merchant energy businesses, power generation assets and an upstream gas portfolio. AGL has one of Australia's largest retail energy and dual fuel customer bases. 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, landfill gas and biomass. AGL is Australia's largest private owner and operator of renewable energy assets and is looking to further expand this position by exploring a suite of low emission and renewable energy generation development opportunities.