Nicholas Aberle asserts in The Guardian (29.3.17) that, with the closure of Victoria’s Hazelwood power station, more coal-fired generators will close as Australia shifts to renewable energy, so there must be more plans in place to smooth the transition.
‘When Hazelwood stops generating electricity this week, it will be the first Australian power station to close, at least in part, because of climate change. Hazelwood’s owner, French energy giant Engie, has said it is “making climate a priority” and has committed to retiring its most outdated coal plants worldwide.
‘Hazelwood’s closure will bring the total to nine coal power stations in Australia that have retired in the last five years – including the Port Augusta power stations in South Australia, the Munmorah and Wallerawang power stations in New South Wales and the smaller Energy Brix and Anglesea power stations in Victoria. It’s a clear indication the global industrial transition from coal to renewable energy across the world has reached our shores.
‘Like all such transitions, this one will involve a big upheaval for the affected workers, but never before has an industrial transition had so much else at stake. Never before has the end of one industry been so essential to the wellbeing of the rest of society.’
- Hazelwood’s closure shows industry and government must plan ahead for climate change »
- Gloom in the valley as Hazelwood fades to black »
- Hazelwood power station: from modernist icon to greenhouse pariah »
- Hazelwood closure: what it means for electricity prices and blackouts »
- Turning Hazelwood’s empty coal mine into a lake could help heal mining towns »
- Australia on cusp of large-scale solar boom as setup costs tumble, experts say »
- Paying Australia’s coal-fired power stations to stay open longer is bad for consumers and the planet »
- Australia’s biggest privately funded battery under construction at Hazelwood power station site »
- Climate change must be part of Australia’s electricity system review »