Coal news and updates

Greens propose $40 billion takeover of electricity sector to eliminate coal by 2030

The hastening decline of coal-fired power is triggering a rethink of Australia's electricity market, with the Greens proposing a $40 billion renationalisation of the sector.

Origin Energy announced on Thursday it would close New South Wales's largest coal-fired power station in 2025, seven years ahead of schedule, which followed AGL's earlier announcement it was bringing forward the closure of two other coal-fired plants.

The federal government is looking to the private sector for more investment in "dispatchable" power, such as batteries, pumped hydro and gas to ensure the stability of the electricity grid as coal exits the system.

But the Greens have launched an audacious policy to recast Snowy Hydro as a not-for-profit, renewables-only generator and retailer, in the hope they will hold the balance of power in the next parliament.