The Australian Government’s decision to approve a new gas-fired power plant in the Hunter Valley has drawn a raft of criticism from environmental groups.

Federal minister Sussan Ley said the $600 million project at Kurri Kurri, due to be built by next year, was given the “green light” after rigorous assessment.

It also came on the condition the government-owned Snowy Hydro Limited met the stipulations established by the NSW Government when it approved the development in December.

Ms Ley claimed the 660-megawatt facility would generate up to 600 direct jobs at the peak of construction and 1,200 indirect across the state, too.

CIMIC Group’s UGL has been named as the principal contractor, with the contract set to generate revenue of $185 million over two years.

The power plant will consist of two heavy-duty F-class gas turbine generators and the related axillaries, which operate using dual fuel sources, including provision to operate on a hydrogen fuel mix.

But, climate action group 350.org Australia slammed the Morrison government for “burning public money” by rubber-stamping the facility.

“If they had any sense, they’d pull the pin on this expensive, polluting gas power station that the market has said we don’t need,” senior campaigner Shani Tager said.

“Instead, they’re pushing ahead and we’ll all be left footing the bill. 

“Not only is this burning public money, it flies in the face of climate science with the International Energy Agency saying there’s no role for new gas projects on the pathway to net zero emissions by 2050.

“Even the Liberals own energy market operator admitted it wasn’t needed.

“If the Morrison government wanted to build something useful, they could build large-scale battery storage and support the expansion of renewables in the Hunter Valley.

“However, they won’t because this announcement is really about what’s good for the Liberal party’s donors, not about what’s needed in the Hunter.”

Lynn Benn, from the Gas Free Hunter Alliance, said the project was divisive in Kurri Kurri.

“Some think it’s going to bring a lot of jobs to the community,” she told AAP.

“And, we desperately need jobs, so there are some people who are strongly for it, but they’ve been misled on what the downstream benefits will be.”

The government-owned energy company Snowy Hydro’s environmental impact statement to the NSW planning department claimed there would be 10 ongoing full-time local jobs, along with 250 full-time jobs during construction.

There were 221 submissions from individuals published on the NSW major projects website, with 217 objections, one in support, three offering commentary.

Ms Benn said the site could have been used for an innovation hub instead.

“There were high hopes for that specific location,” she explained.

“It could have been a regenerative hub for lots of incubator industries and new start-ups.

“But, that kind of activity is not going to come and share a site with a with a gas power plant, so it’s a lost opportunity for jobs.”

Hunter Environment Lobby president Jan Davis said the project was a waste of taxpayer dollars.

“We don’t need it. Renewables are coming online even more,” she stated.

“So, there’s more and more risk that this is going to be a white elephant.”

She said the project made her worry for the future of her grandchildren and the region.

“It’s a world of uncertainty, not just with jobs for the future, but if we keep going down the fossil fuel path, what sort of what sort of certainty is that?

“We’ve got fires, floods, cyclones, tropical weather in places where we never had them before,” she said.

“I’m concerned for my grandchildren’s future.”

Climate Councillor, energy expert and Senior Lecturer at Macquarie University School of Law Dr Madeline Taylor admitted the project made “no commercial sense”.

“Last spring, gas power stations produced just 1.3 per cent of NSW’s power, the lowest level this century,” she said.

“The Kurri Kurri plant simply isn’t needed.

“Energy analysts and economists agree it will raise electricity prices for residents and businesses, not lower them.

“As renewable energy and storage technologies become cheaper by the day, this short-sighted investment in a new gas-fired power station, built with taxpayer money, makes no sense from an energy or economic perspective, and will likely end up as a stranded asset.

“We need a total transformation of our electricity system based on renewables and storage technologies.

“At a time when the world is turning away from gas-fired electricity and embracing renewables, Australia could rapidly decarbonise and become a renewable energy superpower.

“But, instead, public money is being funnelled into a project potentially representing a liability to our clean energy future.”

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