The closure of AGL’s Liddell Power Station has taken another step forward with Delta Group awarded the contract for demolition as the site is prepared for transformation into a low carbon industrial energy hub.

After first announcing the retirement of Liddell in 2015, the full closure of the Liddell Power Station will take place eight years later in April 2023 with one of four units already retired in April 2022.

AGL Chief Operating Officer, Markus Brokhof said it will be the first of AGL’s thermal generation sites to be converted into an integrated, low-carbon industrial energy hub, which will support the energy market and regional economic development. 

“After over 50 years of generating electricity for Australia, Liddell Power Station has reached the end of its operational life and will close in April 2023.  We’re very pleased to announce that Delta Group has been awarded the contract for the demolition of the station,” he said. 

“It’s a significant piece of work; Liddell Power Station has been an important part of the Upper Hunter community for a long time now and it’s also the home of many great memories for thousands of people who’ve worked there over the years.”

Having collaborated on demolition planning Delta Group Executive General Manager Jason Simcocks said they’re now looking forward to executing the project.

“I am very excited that Delta Group has been awarded the demolition contract for such a landmark project. Our team orientated collaborative approach during the planning phase has helped us to better understand AGL’s and its stakeholder needs, requirements, and expectations in relation to the closure process,” Mr Simcocks said.

“Our team is fully committed in assisting AGL achieve a low risk, safe and environmentally sound project leaving behind a positive legacy for the local and regional community. We will work with local community, industry, businesses, and local governments to achieve this common goal.”

The demolition process is expected to commence in early 2024 and take approximately two years.  Work will include removal of all main structures (boilers, chimneys, turbine houses, coal plant) and ancillary buildings, and leveling of the site using recovered crushed concrete.

More than 90 per cent of the materials in the power station are expected to be recycled during demolition, including 70,000 tonnes of steel which is more than the total weight of steel works for the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Critical infrastructure, such as transmission connections, will be retained to support the ongoing use of the site as an industrial energy hub, helping provide employment and essential economic activity for the region. Planning approval has already been granted for a 500MW/2GWh grid-scale battery.

A range of demolition techniques will be used through the project, including controlled explosive felling, pull felling and machine demolition. 

Further information will be shared with the community closer to the time of the explosive felling, providing details on road closures and exclusion zones.