April 28, 2023
Liddell Power Station was switched off on 28 April 2023 after more than fifty years of service generating electricity for NSW. Our Union has been proud to represent workers at Liddell for all those years and we pay tribute to our current and retired members who have spent all or part of their working lives at Liddell.
Peter Barry, who has worked at Liddell for over 40 years and been a union delegate for 20 years, said it would be an emotional day for workers when the power station was finally turned off.
“The operational staff have a lot of passion about this place, they have kept the place running and kept the units online. We have taken a lot of pride in producing electricity for NSW households and businesses.”
Peter said that a positive and collaborative culture had been built at Liddell, with different departments working together to solve problems.
“I feel very lucky that I worked at Liddell all these years.”
Peter will work on the decommission crew until June or July and then transfer to nearby Bayswater, also operated by AGL, until he retires.
Most of the remaining Liddell workers, aside from those ready to retire, will transfer to Bayswater.
Our Union secured a commitment from AGL to no forced redundancies at Liddell, which could be achieved because of the adjacent Bayswater power station. 
However, Northern Mining and NSW Energy President Robin Williams said workers affected by future closures would not be in the same position.
“In just two years’ time, Eraring Power Station on the shores of Lake Macquarie is also due to close – however there is not a nearby power station for those workers to transfer to.
“Our members in the energy industry are deeply concerned about their prospects for secure, well-paid jobs into the future and the decline of their communities.
“That’s why we are backing the call for a federal Energy Transition Authority to fund and co-ordinate support for workers, families and communities affected by the closure of coal power stations and associated coal mines.”
The people of NSW owe a debt of gratitude to the Liddell workforce, for powering the state for so long, said Robin.
“On behalf of the Mining and Energy Union, I’d like to thank all our current and former members at Liddell, for their commitment and contribution to our union over the decades.
“In particular, I’d like to thank all those who have stepped up as delegates during these years, including our current team of Peter Barry, Lionel Gleeson and Bob Cornish.
“They have done a fantastic job representing members and ensuring that members have had a strong and comprehensive agreement protecting their interests throughout the transition period.
“Liddell is an iconic sight in the Hunter Valley and its closure is a sad day for the workforce and community. It’s an opportunity to reflect on Liddell’s contribution and the need to look after our energy workforce at a time of enormous change.”
