AGL rebuffs Malcolm Turnbull and commits to ditching Liddell power station for gas, wind and solar

The Turnbull government will seek expert advice on AGL's new electricity generation plan after the energy giant rebuffed the government and confirmed it would close its coal-fired Liddell power plant.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull after meeting
with AGL boss Andy Vesey in September.

The company believes it can meet the energy shortfall and reduce emissions through a multi-phase development of gas, wind and solar plants, while proceeding with the long-slated closure of Liddell in 2022.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who has made electricity supply and power prices a key electoral issue, had implored AGL to consider extending the life of the ailing power station or find a willing buyer.

He said yesterday AGL's plan was "not at all" a rebuke of the government and it will be assessed by the Australian Energy Market Operator by mid-February.

Read Michael Kaziol’s story in today’s Melbourne Age - “AGL rebuffs Malcolm Turnbull and commits to ditching Liddell power station for gas, wind and solar.”