Hazelwood 发电站关闭的骨牌效应

Hazelwood发电站的业者宣布将在明年初关闭发电站。 Hazelwood 名字对许多人或许很陌生，但不可不知的是它承担维州约 20% 发电量的重担，而发电站的关闭除了造成 750 名员工失业外，维州从此也将从能源出口州转为能源进口州，其 影响之大不可小觑。

然则电站关闭的骨牌效极可能进一步发酵，Hazelwood 电站关闭，维州供电需求瞬间增大，需要进口电力弥补空缺时，直接冲击的莫过于电费上涨。 增涨的电费不仅影响家庭和民间商业用电成本，更可能成为压垮其馀产业的最后一根稻草。 位于 Portland 的 Aloca 铝合金治炼厂首当其冲，可能也在骨牌效应下应声关闭。

不幸的是，维州政府对于 Hazelwood 的关闭完全措手不及，不只没有准备应对，反而加高煤炭税，成为推垮 Hazelwood 营业的元凶之一。

理想很丰满，现实很骨感。 对再生能源的需求与发展是全民共同努力和期待的目标，但在没有替代方案前，就开始打击传统发电产业， 这只会造成人民失业，电价上涨和能源产业不稳定的震撼弹。

英文版/ English version

Hazelwood power station to close

The owners of the Hazelwood power station have announced it will close early next year.

Hazelwood generates about 20% of Victoria’s electricity, and its closure will turn Victoria from an exporter of energy into an importer of energy. Hazelwood also employs 750 staff, most of whom will lose their jobs.

It is likely that Hazelwood’s closure will raise electricity prices and thus increase electricity bills for families and for businesses. Higher power prices could cause businesses such as the Alcoa aluminium smelter in Portland to decide to close also.

Unfortunately, the Victorian government seems poorly prepared for Hazelwood’s closure, even though they have increased coal taxes, making it harder for Hazelwood to stay open.