Saralnama
Queensland’s biggest coal power plant in Gladstone might close in March 2029, six years earlier than planned. Rio Tinto, a co-owner, told the Australian Energy Market Operator about this possible early closure but has not made a final decision. The plant supplies power to local industries like aluminium smelters and LNG plants. The Queensland government wants coal plants to run longer, reversing earlier plans to stop coal use by 2035. The power station has had many outages, risking the region’s industry worth ₹36,000 crore. Experts say the government should plan for new renewable energy and a cleaner power system. The government is preparing for the plant’s eventual closure while working on energy plans. Rio Tinto will discuss future options with stakeholders before deciding on the plant’s retirement. (Updated 1 Oct 2025, 09:36 IST; source: link)