Coal industry left hanging
WHAT comes next? It’s the basic question the state’s coal industry needs answered as the nation moves towards a net zero economy, veteran Latrobe Valley power plant worker Tony Wolfe says.
“We need to know what the next industry is going to be,” he said. “The plants are closing, nobody is building new ones and yet we haven’t decided on what will replace it.” Mr Wolfe has worked in the coal-fired power generation industry for 40 years. He started an electrical apprenticeship with the SEC at 15 and now worked as a unit controller at Loy Yang Power Station. Mr Wolfe said he was more enthusiastic about the potential of renewables and new industries than many in the coal industry. But while the views on the longevity of coal among his coworkers varied there was a growing recognition that the power source was in decline.
“I think there is an acceptance now that something different will dominate the generation market,” he said.