Environment
Air emissions - sulphur dioxide (SO2)
AGL Loy Yang emissions increased 22%. Sulphur dioxide is measured via Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS). The increase in sulphur dioxide emissions aligns with the increase in coal combusted (up 15%) and the increase in electricity produced during the reporting period (up 12%).
Bayswater Power Station emissions increased 29%. Emissions are measured via CEMS. The total amount of fuel combusted declined, however, an increase in the average sulphur content of coal combusted, an increase in diesel combustion (up 15%) and periods of shut-down and start-up may have contributed to the increase in sulphur dioxide emissions.
Liddell Power Station emissions decreased 35%. Emissions are measured via CEMS and reflect the conditions of combustion throughout the report period. The decrease in emissions aligns with the reduced electricity produced during FY21 (down 31%) and reduced coal combustion (down 28%).
AGL Torrens emissions decreased 78%. Previously heavy fuel oil contributed significantly to the emissions of sulphur dioxide. As the fuel is no longer combusted on site, and instead light fuel oil and pipeline natural gas are combusted in the newer Barker Inlet Power Station turbines, the total emissions at AGL Torrens have declined significantly. The cleaner light fuel oil is now the significant source of sulphur dioxide at the facility.
Notes
FY21 data was updated in November 2021. A subset of the FY21 data (comprising emissions associated with the combustion of black coal and diesel at the Bayswater and Liddell power stations, black and brown coal as well as natural gas at AGL Loy Yang, and natural gas and fuel oil at AGL Torrens, and estimates of fugitive emissions at these sites) was reported with the initial release of the FY21 Annual Report and ESG Data Centre on 12 August 2021.
For the purposes of this data set, AGL Torrens comprises the Torrens Island Power Station and the Barker Inlet Power Station which commenced operation in December 2019.
All figures have been rounded to the nearest kilogram.
Continuous Emission Monitoring System (CEMS) was introduced to Units 2, 3 and 4 at Bayswater Power Station in November 2017.
The National Assets were sold in FY19.
Emissions from Kwinana Swift Power Station have been included from FY20.
Air emissions data for AGL sites is publicly reported NPI data (see www.npi.gov.au).
The emission factors used in AGL's NPI reports are sourced from relevant industry emission estimation technique manuals available on the NPI website.
SASB IF-EU-120a