AGL Energy Limited (AGL) today received approval under the Commonwealth Government’s Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act for its proposed Dalton Power Project and associated infrastructure. This follows the NSW Planning Assessment Commission (PAC) approval which was received in July 2012.

AGL is delighted with this decision, and particularly notes the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities’ timely and transparent approval process.

The EPBC Act approval is for the construction of up to a 1,000 megawatt (MW) gas turbine power station on rural grazing land approximately 4km north of the town of Dalton, NSW. The first stage of the project would comprise of a 500 MW power station to supply electricity to New South Wales during times of peak demand.

The EPBC Act approval includes a number of conditions including the permanent allocation of 195 hectares of land into a conservation offset. The state and federal approvals allow a window of five years for commencement of construction. A decision about when to proceed with the construction of the project will depend on market conditions. AGL will continue to communicate with the community to ensure they remain informed.

Further information about AGL’s proposed Dalton Power Project can be viewed at the Dalton Project website.

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.