Loy Yang A Power Station celebrates 40 years of generation this September. First official generation began in September 1984 when the Premier of Victoria opened the site, with subsequent units brought online over the next four years. The power station was completed in 1988 when the final unit was operational. 

Over the past 40 years Loy Yang A Power Station has provided critical power for the Victorian electricity system helping to power homes and businesses across the state. On average over the past 20 years, Loy Yang has powered the equivalent of approximately 3 million average Australian homes per year. 1

The power station has been one of the largest employers in Gippsland through its life, employing thousands of local people over that time. 

AGL Loy Yang General Manager, Christo van Niekerk, thanked the people who have worked at the power station and mine.

“Celebrating 40 years of power generation and local employment is a remarkable milestone. I want to thank all the people who have worked at the power station and mine over the years, enabling Loy Yang to provide safe and reliable electricity for Victorian homes and businesses. Supplying the equivalent of 3 million homes per year with power is a fantastic achievement,” he said.

“As we plan for Loy Yang’s final decade of generation and the site’s transition into an integrated energy hub, it’s important that we take a moment to celebrate the legacy of the power station at this 40-year milestone, as a critical provider of electricity, an important local employer, and a valued member of the Gippsland community.”

An all-staff luncheon and discussion panel with past and present employees reflecting on their time working at the power station will be held at site to mark the occasion.

AGL Rehabilitation & Closure Strategist, Benn Snell, who is helping to prepare the site for closure over the next decade reflected on his family’s connection to Loy Yang.  

“My family’s connection to this place is special with my grandfather working here when the mine and power station were opened 40 years ago. I’ll be here when we close the power station and I’m proud to be working on the transition of the site to ensure we create a legacy for the local community.”

1 Based on average generation volumes from FY04 to FY24 and average Australian household electricity use. The average household usage is calculated using data from FY22, as reported by the Australian Energy Council in their Electricity Gas Australia 2023 report.