在 Hazelwood 宣布关闭后，电价应声上扬

在几个星期前，我就已在文章中提到，一旦 Hazelwood 发电站关闭，维州将从电力出口州转为电力进口州。其中最直接的影响就是电价高涨，更可能间接导致Alcoa 炼铝厂这类的企业在骨牌效应中关闭。

很不幸的是，几周前的评估全数言中，而宣布能源价格上涨已成了铁一般的事实。 民用电价预计上涨至少　10% 以上，而商业电价则将有更大的涨幅，而瓦斯价格也在骨牌效应中同步上涨。

此外，上週由于供电不稳，供电线故障导致位于 Portland 的 Alcoa 炼铝厂被迫断电数小时。 断电的结果造成融铝凝固，也带来严重的损失。

Alcoa 炼铝厂最初迁移至维州，其主因就在于维州当时的电力不但便宜而且稳定，可说是物美价廉。 但如今维州电路不稳，不再物美，电价上扬，更不再价廉。 在商言商，Alcoa 炼铝厂一类的企业的迁移恐成维州不得不面对的隐忧。

英文版/ English version

Power prices rise after Hazelwood closure announced

I warned a few weeks ago that the closure of Hazelwood power station risked raising energy prices and causing businesses like the Alcoa aluminium plant to close.

Unfortunately, big increases in energy prices have already been announced. Electricity prices for consumers are rising by 10% or more, and prices for businesses are rising by even more. Gas prices are also increasing.

As well, a breakdown in power transmission lines last week has caused the Alcoa plant in Portland to have its electricity cut off for several hours, causing molten aluminium to solidify and do extensive damage.

Alcoa came to Victoria because Victoria had cheap and reliable electricity supplies. Now our electricity supplies are neither cheap nor reliable, there is an even greater risk that Alcoa will decide to leave.