Confusion reigns over whether the government will, or can, keep the ageing power station going. But there’s a much better way to ensure grid reliability

Power lines from Liddell power station near Muswellbrook, north of Sydney, Australia, 2 November 2 2011
‘Throughout 2016-17 the 45-year-old power station’s average capacity was only 54%.’ Photograph: Tim Wimborne/Reuters