Liddell coal power station chimneys demolished in NSW, marking energy transition milestone
Consensus Summary
The demolition of the two 170-meter chimneys at Liddell coal-fired power station in NSW’s Hunter Valley marked the symbolic end of a 52-year operational history. The blast, conducted on May 26, 2026, involved precise engineering with explosives and dust mitigation measures, including water-filled paddling pools to contain debris. The site, owned by AGL, will transition into an industrial energy hub, hosting a 500-megawatt battery and potential new industries like solar panel manufacturing. While the closure reflects a shift toward renewable energy, the NSW government has faced scrutiny for approving coalmine expansions despite its net-zero commitments. Former workers expressed mixed emotions, acknowledging the site’s legacy while embracing the future. The next phase of demolition, involving the boiler towers, is scheduled for November 2026.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- The two 170m chimneys of Liddell coal-fired power station in NSW’s Hunter Valley were demolished using explosives on May 26, 2026, in a controlled blast streamed online.
- Liddell Power Station was officially retired in April 2023 after 52 years of operation, supplying electricity to around one million homes annually at its peak.
- The site will host a 500 megawatt Liddell Battery for energy storage, including renewable sources, with commissioning underway.
- The chimneys had a base diameter of 20m and narrowed to 10m at the top, with about 260 kilograms of explosives used per chimney to bring them down.
- The demolition process involved drilling 700 holes in each chimney and cutting triangular sections to act as hinges, likened to 'felling a tree'.
- The site’s owner, AGL, plans to repurpose the land as an industrial energy hub, with proposals including solar panel manufacturing, recycling, and a data hub.
- The next phase of demolition involves toppling the four boiler towers, scheduled for November 2026.
- The NSW government approved at least eight coalmine expansions and extensions since the 2023 election, despite scrutiny over its coal industry statement.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Steve Lanesbury, a former Liddell worker, described the demolition as emotional, comparing it to 'someone with a terminal illness'.
- Margaret and David Channon met while working at Liddell and later married, with their son Jackson also working there.
- The Liddell Power Station generated about 431,000 gigawatt hours of power during its lifetime, enough to power NSW for 6.5 years at 2023 consumption rates.
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited the Liddell site in 2024 to announce a $1 billion program aimed at boosting Australian solar panel manufacturing.
- The site’s boiler towers will be demolished in November 2026, with the process involving similar explosive techniques.
- The site’s clean-up phase included recycling about a million litres of oil and removing 30 kilometres of conveyor belts.
- The Nature Conservation Council NSW called the demolition a sign that 'the shift to clean energy is working', with CEO Jacqui Mumford stating the transition is 'already well underway'.
- NSW Premier Chris Minns described the power station as 'an incredible source of energy that’s really fired up NSW for many, many years' and thanked workers for their contributions.
- A NSW parliamentary inquiry heard the Minns government’s coal industry statement was inconsistent with NSW Net Zero commission advice.
Where the reporting differs
Details that conflict, or appear in only some outlets:
- The Guardian mentions a NSW parliamentary inquiry on May 26, 2026, regarding the government’s coal industry statement, but ABC does not report on this inquiry in its articles.
- The Guardian states the Minns government approved 'at least eight coal expansions and extensions since the 2023 election', while ABC does not provide a specific number or mention this approval in its coverage.
Source Articles
Liddell’s famous power station chimney stacks crumble into history in massive blast
Energy giant AGL orchestrated a controlled demolition of 170-metre chimneys as the site undergoes redevelopment Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast The two chimneys of Liddell coal-fired power station have come crashing down, marking the close of a site which provided energy for New South Wales for half a century. In a demolition streamed online on Tuesday, the two 170m stacks of the Hunter Valley power station, own
170m chimneys come crashing down as power station demolition begins
The demolition of the Liddell Power Station, which powered homes and businesses in NSW for more than 50 years, is underway.
'Like felling a tree': The planning behind Liddell site's big bang
Half a tonne of explosives was needed to bring the Hunter Valley's Liddell Power Station chimneys crashing down.
Decommissioned power station's chimneys crash to the ground in livestreamed demolition – video
AGL has destroyed two giant chimney stacks at the defunct Liddell coal-fired power plant. The power station in the NSW Hunter Valley closed in 2023 after operating for more than 50 years Read more: Power bills to fall by up to 10% from July as renewables and batteries soar across Australia Continue reading...