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Friday, April 26, 2024

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Friday, April 26, 2024
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Graph of the Day: Last unit shuts down at Hazelwood

Sophie Vorrath
12

Update: Last unit shuts down at Hazelwood

Yesterday, we recommend visiting is.hazelwood.online to witness the powering down of one of the world’s dirtiest power plants – certainly Australia’s most polluting generator – the Engie-owned Hazelwood power station in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley.

Today, it’s worth another look as the output of the ageing coal plant shrinks to just 8 per cent of its former 1600MW capacity (at the time of initial publication) and then finally switching off.

hazelwood zero
Clean coal?

As we noted yesterday, the mesmerising live infographic was put together by Embark Australia’s Simon Holmes à Court and web designer Steven Tan, using NEM data from the Australian Energy Market Operator, as well as data on Hazelwood’s carbon emissions, and reported 2013 figures (2014 was the year of the fire at the adjoining mine) on emissions of other pollutants (hydrochloric acid, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, lead, sulfuric acid, arsenic and the list goes on).

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Comments

12 responses to “Graph of the Day: Last unit shuts down at Hazelwood”

  1. Chris Fraser Avatar
    Chris Fraser

    Thank you for all the fish (in the boiler pondage).

  2. Gary Rowbottom Avatar
    Gary Rowbottom

    Appears to have flatlined. Whilst it’s time had come and we need to drastically lower emissions, and Hazelwood needed to be superseded, there is still some element of historical sadness, and more specifically empathy for the many workers who will be out of a job. Empathy doesn’t put meat and potatoes on the table however, nor replaces the dignity of work. I suspect their futures involve the same range of impacts we felt/are feeling here after Augusta Power stations closure. To them, thank you for many years of dedicated service, and if it is your wish, may you find work in the new world of energy.

    1. Rod Avatar
      Rod

      Agreed Gary,
      But you and I (ex-ETSA/Electranet) know that financially most should be OK.
      One thing ETSA was great at (in my day) was upskilling those who wanted it and electricity workers were held in high regard by potential employers.
      Hopefully those who need to find work will do so quickly.
      And like ETSA, these guys (and girls) have at least had enough warning that the end was near so hopefully have got their finances under control.
      Unless there are local opportunities though, their houses may lose quite a lot of value which would be a huge blow.

      1. Ren Stimpy Avatar
        Ren Stimpy

        Seriously – explain that diatribe? I think you’re just too chatty to be genuine.

        1. Rod Avatar
          Rod

          I didn’t mean any offence, especially to Gary or the affected workers and will delete my post if wanted.
          Firstly, I have been through this along with 4000 others when our power sector was privatised.
          The average redundancy has been reported as $330k plus a bit from each of the governments.
          The point there being that many, especially older workers will be fine and if they get other work quickly be very happy.
          Re the skills bit, From my experience, electricity employers are pretty good at putting employees through courses, computer, safety, higher drivers licenses etc which makes them very employable.
          Re the pre warning, Most of our redundancies were voluntary but as they were over 4 years it was pretty obvious the inevitable was coming and many would have made financial and other preparations to reduce the impact.

          1. Ren Stimpy Avatar
            Ren Stimpy

            That’s cool, my fault not yours, comprehension deficit that time of day, and a tad cranky too. time for a holiday I think

      2. Greg Hudson Avatar
        Greg Hudson

        Based on the huge payouts Engie and the Vic Govt are giving them, they will have a long and prosperous high-life.

        1. Rod Avatar
          Rod

          Some will be happy. The young guys or anyone who hasn’t been there long, not so.
          And also hard for those in the middle who want to work but in this ageist age are considered over the hill at 50.
          But permanent tenure or a job for life are a thing of the past.

  3. solarguy Avatar
    solarguy

    No tears from me, but I am sorry for the workers, hope they got a good golden hand shake.

    1. Greg Hudson Avatar
      Greg Hudson

      The Govt should put them all to work in a new wind turbine factory.

  4. OnionMan77 Avatar
    OnionMan77

    Malcolm will be happy.
    Australia’s first Clean Coal power plant with remarkable 0kg CO2 emissions.

  5. neroden Avatar
    neroden

    It’s a pity that there are still 3 megawatts of brown coal generation in Victoria. Build some more solar and wind, guy!

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