Date Time Share Death of coal-fired power is inevitable – yet government still has no plan to help its workforce Yallourn power station – Australia’s oldest, dirtiest coal plant – will close four years ahead of schedule in 2028. Announcing the move this week, operator Energy Australia said it will build a giant energy storage battery on the site to make room for more renewables. This is a powerful statement about where our energy system is heading. Author Research Principal, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney Yallourn has operated for 47 years burning brown coal. It supplies one-fifth of Victoria’s energy and employs 500 permanent workers and hundreds more contractors. It’s also responsible for 13% of Victoria’s emissions.