AGL Torrens, located 18 km from Adelaide CBD on Torrens Island, is the largest power station in South Australia and the largest natural gas fired power station in Australia.
With a nameplate capacity total of 1,280 MW, the thermal power station burns natural gas in boilers to generate steam, which then drives the turbines to generate electricity. It produces enough power to meet the annual needs of approximately 470,000 average Australian homes.
The gas is supplied via the SEAGas pipeline from Victoria and from Moomba in the Cooper Basin.
Development and maintenance
Construction of AGL Torrens began in 1963 following the passing of a government act vesting the land and authorising construction. ‘A’ Station, which consists of four generating units, became operational in 1967; construction on ‘B’ Station, which also consists of four generating units, was completed in 1976.
The power station employs about 180 people, supplemented by a contractor workforce.
In mid-2017, AGL announced that two of the four Torrens A turbines will be mothballed. The new Barker Inlet Power Station – which is alongside AGL Torrens – will continue to cater for South Australia's generation needs.
In July 2019, AGL announced a delay in the planned closure of the first two Torrens A units. Under the schedule AGL has proved to AEMO (the Australian Energy Market Operator), the first two units will be closed in September 2020, the third in September 2021, and the final unit in September 2022.
Community engagement
AGL is committed to developing and maintaining good relationships with the local communities in which we operate. We believe in more listening, less talking.
AGL’s approach to stakeholder engagement is outlined in the Sustainability Report, and can be summarised in terms of leaving a positive legacy; AGL will strive to make a net positive social, economic and environmental contribution to the communities in which we operate. AGL’s community engagement commitments that operate under this framework are that AGL will:
- Be proactive: we will engage with communities early and often, so that we understand and respond to their interests and concerns.
- Be flexible and inclusive: we will offer a range of engagement opportunities that are tailored to the variety of needs and preferences of the communities in which we operate.
- Be transparent: we will act honestly and ethically in all our dealings with the communities in which we operate.
- Support our employees and contractors to engage well: we will provide tools, peer support and training to enable our staff to deliver on our commitment.
- Continuously improve our engagement: we will evaluate the effectiveness of our engagement and modify it as needed to ensure that our activities address community needs and expectations.
Community fund
AGL Torrens has a Community Support Fund, which supports local community groups and organisations.
Throughout 2020, our major partnerships are with:
- The Australian Marine Wildlife Research and Rescue Organisation.
- Conservation Volunteers Australia, so our people can help conserve the natural values of Torrens Island. Our program includes a year-round calendar of events where our people can volunteer in activities such as marine debris collection including microplastics surveys, seed collection, plant propagation and tree planting.
- The University of Adelaide, supporting the Ingenuity program designed to support final year engineering students.
Environment
At AGL, taking care of the environment is something we consider in everything we do. We are committed to achieving excellence in environmental management and performance. We are working hard to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and minimise our environmental footprint.
Torrens Island is located in the Port River estuary and surrounded by the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary. This unique estuarine habitat is an important breeding ground to many native fish and bird species. We partner with the Australian Marine Wildlife Research and Rescue Organisation and Conservation Volunteers Australia to protect this important ecosystem.
Community complaints and enquiries
AGL understands that we don’t always get it right, and we want to be informed when we don’t. If you would like to provide any feedback, good or bad, or simply ask some questions, please feel free to get in touch via the following channels:
AGL Community Complaints and Enquiries Hotline: 1800 039 600
Email: AGLCommunity@agl.com.au
Mail: AGL Community Complaints & Enquiries, Locked Bag 3013, Australia Square NSW 1215
