Rio Tinto plans to close Queensland’s largest coal-fired power station in Gladstone six years early, moving the date to March 2029.
The 1,680 MW plant, operating since 1976, supplies power to the Boyne smelter and Yarwun and Queensland alumina refineries.
Rio Tinto says no final decision is set and the plant could continue if market conditions allow.
The announcement comes just before the Queensland LNP government releases its new energy roadmap.
Premier David Crisafulli said he was unaware of the closure when asked by ABC.
Rio Tinto has shifted toward renewable energy, signing a major solar and battery deal with Edify Energy earlier this year.
The Gladstone plant suffers high outage rates, averaging 18% annually since 2012 and peaking at 34% in 2022.
Energy experts say renewable power with storage is cheaper and more reliable than the ageing coal station.
Advocates urge the state government to plan for timely closures of other ageing coal plants to secure Queensland’s industrial future.