A group of unlikely political allies is questioning the need to keep open Australia's largest coal-fired power station, accusing the NSW government of propping up big coal.
While the Minns government has yet to commit to extending the life of the Eraring power plant north of Sydney beyond 2025, a leaked review reportedly warns the state would face an electricity shortfall without it.
But Greens, environment groups and backbench Liberals have accused Labor of ignoring expert advice and bowing down to the coal industry.
Liberal member for North Shore Felicity Wilson, who narrowly fended off a teal challenge at the last election, said the government should listen to market operator AEMO which said NSW would meet reliability targets without an extension to Eraring.
"Instead what Labor and (Premier Chris) Minns have done is gone out to some Labor hack lobbyists for big coal to seek an alternative view to back up their plans to backflip on our environment, our economy and our consumers across NSW," she said on Thursday.
The review into NSW's energy transition was headed by Cameron O'Reilly, the former CEO of an energy industry lobby group and a federal Labor adviser during the Keating era.
Mr O'Reilly also worked as principal energy adviser to the NSW government under the coalition.
The report's findings won't be made public until next week and Labor has said no decision has been made on extending the life of Eraring, but Premier Chris Minns has not been backwards in talking up its importance.
"It's now fundamental and central to the state's energy needs," Mr Minns said on Wednesday.
"This is about getting the transition done right so that when you bring on renewables to fund and drive the NSW economy, we can do it in a way that's sustainable and doesn't lead to blackouts and energy disruptions."
Opposition energy spokesman James Griffin called on the government to release the report immediately and accused Labor of laying the groundwork to tear up the Liberals' renewable energy plan.
"Every day that this leaked report drips into the media is another day of uncertainty for the energy market, operators and investors in NSW," Mr Griffin said.
The Greens will introduce legislation to parliament seeking to enshrine a target of net zero emissions by 2035, which climate change spokesperson Sue Higginson says is incompatible with extending the life of Eraring.
Labor promised to legislate an emissions reduction target before the election, but it is yet to act on the pledge.
"The lack of courage is quite stark," Ms Higginson said.
"We know what we need to do.
"We just now need the commitment, the roadmap and the courage to get on with the job."
Energy Minister Penny Sharpe said Labor had publicly announced it would introduce laws to legislate emissions reduction targets and establish an Independent Net Zero Commission.
“The Greens may have their own bill, but we’ll be introducing ours," she said.
