The two towering chimneys of the Liddell coal-fired power station have been brought down in a dramatic controlled demolition, signalling the end of an era for coal power in New South Wales. The event, which was streamed live online on Tuesday, saw the 170-metre stacks crumble one after the other following powerful explosions.
A Historic Moment for Energy Transition
The power station, which had been operational for over 52 years, was officially retired in April 2023. At its peak, it supplied electricity to approximately one million homes annually. The site is now set to be transformed into the 500-megawatt Liddell battery, which will store energy from renewable sources.
Chris Druery, closure manager at Liddell, likened the demolition to felling a tree. "We basically blow a wedge out of the front of the stack in the direction that we're trying to fell it in," he explained. "They cut the back of the stack to remove resistance. When the explosion goes off, it blows that wedge out of the front and it basically falls over like a tree does when you fell a tree."
Reactions from Environmental Groups and Officials
The Nature Conservation Council NSW hailed the demolition as evidence that the shift to clean energy is progressing. Chief executive Jacqui Mumford stated: "Today's demolition of the smokestacks at Liddell power station shows we can achieve a transition to reliable cleaner energy, in fact it's already well underway."
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns acknowledged the station's historical significance, saying it had "been an incredible source of energy that's really fired up NSW for many, many years." He added: "It's an important change, but I think today is actually quite iconic in relation to what it means in terms of where the transition is up to, and I would take the opportunity to actually thank all the workers who've worked at Liddell."
Ongoing Coal Use Under Scrutiny
Despite the progress in renewable energy, NSW's continued reliance on coal has faced criticism. On Monday, a parliamentary inquiry heard that the state government's coal industry statement, which permits expansions and extensions of existing coalmines, contradicts advice from the NSW Net Zero commission. Since the 2023 election, the government has approved at least eight coal expansion projects.
