AGL Loy Yang lights up tower to thank essential workers during COVID-19 crisis

An enormous love heart with the words ‘Thank You’ is shining brightly on AGL Loy Yang’s cooling towers this week to acknowledge all essential workers who have put the community first during the COVID-19 pandemic.

AGL Loy Yang General Manager Nigel Browne said he was extremely proud of all employees who, during a time of stress and uncertainty, put others first by working hard to “keep the lights on”.

“Our employees have contributed in so many ways to ensure we remain a safe and stable source of energy generation at a time when it has been so critical,” Mr Browne said.

“Our Incident Management Team has worked around the clock to plan and prepare, and our workforce have stepped up during a challenging time, putting others first, getting on with the job of producing energy for our state in the face of uncertain risk.

“Everyone from those operational essential employees who have continued to work on site and adjust their work environment to accommodate the hygiene and social distancing requirements, through to those working from home and juggling family commitments, it has been a great team effort.”

Mr Browne said the changed circumstances had driven innovation across the business.

“We’ve had to bring a new and innovative way of thinking and working to many of our day to day tasks, including our plant maintenance, throughout this crisis.

“It is great to see how the team has responded in order to ensure we continue to provide our essential service and keep the lights during this really tough time.”

The Latrobe Valley has a high proportion of essential workers with health, energy and supermarket/grocery sectors being the largest employers in the region.

“But it isn’t just ‘thank you’ to our people and their families at AGL, we want to say thank you to all our local essential workers, whether they are the power industry, health and grocery workers. They’ve also been turning up to work every day and working on the frontline during this pandemic across our community,” Mr Browne said.

“At AGL one of our values is ‘Care in Every Action’ and we have seen this throughout our community as these essential workers have risen to the challenge.

“Lighting up our 110 metre cooling towers is a way of us showing our gratitude.”

The cooling tower will be lit from 11-17th of May.