AGL Energy Limited (AGL) has today announced the official commissioning of a plant built in partnership with Air Liquide Australia that recovers carbon dioxide (CO2) from its Torrens Island power station site in Adelaide.

A state-of-the-art CO₂ recovery plant is now being operated by Air Liquide at the AGL Torrens site to capture and purify up to 50,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions from the power station’s exhaust per year. 

The Torrens CO₂ recovery plant is the only plant in South Australia to capture CO₂ from existing emissions and the first plant to capture _CO2 from a power station for the CO₂ market in Australia.

AGL Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Andy Vesey, said the plant was delivering an environmental benefit and providing local industry with a much needed resource.

“AGL is proud of the partnership with Air Liquide Australia channelling CO₂ from our Torrens site and we congratulate them on a significant milestone. Construction of the facility was completed on time and with zero injuries.

“Innovative processes such as the Air Liquide CO2 recovery plant are critical in helping reduce emissions from the electricity generation sector and provide a local source of CO₂ for South Australian industry,” Mr Vesey said.

Following recovery from the AGL Torrens site, the CO₂ is used in the merchant CO₂ market in South Australia. The CO₂ is typically used in applications such as carbonisation of beverages, carbon dioxide snow for the wine industry, waste water treatment instead of using acids, and in public swimming pools.  

A post combustion capture pilot plant has been operating at AGL’s Loy Yang power station in Victoria since 2008, capturing up to 500 tonnes of CO₂ per annum. A second plant was constructed at the site in 2015 which captures 200 tonnes of CO₂ per annum. These plants are part of a carbon capture storage research project with the CSIRO.

About AGL
AGL is committed to helping shape a sustainable energy future for Australia. We operate the country’s largest electricity generation portfolio, we’re its largest ASX-listed investor in renewable energy, and we have more than 3.5 million customer accounts. We have more than 180 years of experience – and our aim is to prosper in a carbon-constrained world and build customer advocacy as our industry transforms. That’s why we have committed to exiting our coal-fired generation by 2050 and why we will continue to be a technology leader and to develop innovative solutions for our customers.