Coal-Fired Power Until 2049 as Energy Grid Costs Rise to $128b

Coal-fired power until 2049 as energy grid costs rise to $128b

Coal power is now expected to linger in the National Electricity Market until 2049 in the latest blueprint for the power grid.

Australia's AEMO Draft 2026 ISP: Coal Until 2049 as $128b Grid Overhaul Backs Solar and Batteries

Australia’s energy market operator has released a sweeping new roadmap for the electricity grid that locks in coal-fired power plants until 2049, even as it doubles down on massive new investment in solar, batteries and transmission to hit net zero targets. On 10 December 2025, the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) published its Draft 2026 Integrated System Plan (ISP) – a 25‑year blueprint for the National Electricity Market (NEM) that wi…

AEMO releases draft of 2026 ISP

Today (Wednesday 10th December 2025) the AEMO has released the much-awaited* draft of the (upcoming 2026 iteration of the) Integrated System Plan .

AEMO releases draft 2026 Integrated System Plan

The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has published the Draft 2026 Integrated System Plan (ISP) for consultation. Developed under the National Electricity Rules, the ISP presents the least-cost roadmap for generation, storage, and transmission infrastructure in the National Electricity Market (NEM) to supply secure and reliable electricity, and meet government policies to 2050. AEMO CEO Daniel Westerman said this year’s roadmap was consis…