AFR headline ‘AEMO warns of NSW blackouts if Eraring closes in 2027’ attracts attention

I’ve been away for the past week and am not back at work yet, but seeing the headline ‘AEMO warns of NSW blackouts if Eraring closes in 2027’ by Angela MacDonald-Smith in the AFR on Monday 1st December 2025 diverted my attention:

For those who have access to the AFR, the article’s well worth the read …

• though it really should not be a surprise that we’re seeing the AEMO confirm what’s been clear for many months (or perhaps many years?!).
• to me this is just another recognition of the significant gap that exists between what most would like to happen and what can actually happen in this ‘messy middle’ (or ‘messy beginning’, for some).

(A)  Refers to AEMO’s release of the 2025 Transition Plan for System Security

Angela’s article (and others below) have picked up these concerns in the AEMO’s ‘2025 Transition Plan for System Security’, which was released this morning;

(B)  Other media reporting

So far today, we have also seen:

1)  Colin Packham wrote ‘Energy operator sounds alarm on closure of NSW’s biggest coal station’ in the Australian

… again, worth a read for those who have access

2)  Jake Evans wrote ‘Energy grid not ready for Eraring coal plant’s closure, AEMO says’ in the ABC.

3)  Giles Parkinson wrote ‘Australia’s biggest coal generator may be phased out, unit by unit, rather than a hard exit’ in RenewEconomy.

We’ll add more, if we see them.