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Victoria's Hazelwood power station to close, French media reports say Victoria's Hazelwood power station to close, French media reports say
(about 1 hour later)
French utility Engie has decided to close down Victoria’s coal-fired Hazelwood power station – Australia’s most polluting – at a meeting between the board and executives last week, according to a report in the French newspaper Les Echos.French utility Engie has decided to close down Victoria’s coal-fired Hazelwood power station – Australia’s most polluting – at a meeting between the board and executives last week, according to a report in the French newspaper Les Echos.
However the company told Reuters that no decision had been taken so far regarding the future of the plant. However the company told Guardian Australia that no decision had been taken so far regarding the future of the plant.
If the closure does go ahead, it would need the approval of Japan’s Mitsui & Co Ltd, which owns 28% of the plant.If the closure does go ahead, it would need the approval of Japan’s Mitsui & Co Ltd, which owns 28% of the plant.
Trevor Rowe, a spokesperson from Engie, told Guardian Australia on Monday that no decision regarding the future of Hazelwood was imminent.
He dismissed the reports of a closure as “another burst of speculation”.
“There has been so much speculation and rumours over the last 12 months to two years,” he said.
“We’re used to it.”
Engie and Mitsui would be legally required to dismantle the plant and rehabilitate the site if it closes, a task which has previously been estimated to cost hundreds of millions of dollars.Engie and Mitsui would be legally required to dismantle the plant and rehabilitate the site if it closes, a task which has previously been estimated to cost hundreds of millions of dollars.
Les Echos reported that several sources claim the sum would be closer to €1bn (AU$1.43bn).Les Echos reported that several sources claim the sum would be closer to €1bn (AU$1.43bn).
Environmental organisations say the plant – which has a generating capacity of 1.5 gigawatts, accounting for 5.4% of Australia’s electricity supplies – is one of the most polluting power stations in the world.Environmental organisations say the plant – which has a generating capacity of 1.5 gigawatts, accounting for 5.4% of Australia’s electricity supplies – is one of the most polluting power stations in the world.
Engie’s chief executive, Isabelle Kocher, told a French senate committee in May that the utility planned a gradual withdrawal from coal-fired power generation and that it would look at either selling or closing Hazelwood.Engie’s chief executive, Isabelle Kocher, told a French senate committee in May that the utility planned a gradual withdrawal from coal-fired power generation and that it would look at either selling or closing Hazelwood.
“For the Hazelwood plant, we are studying all possible scenarios, including closure, or a sale if the state of Victoria tells us that it cannot meet power-generating needs without this plant,” Kocher said.“For the Hazelwood plant, we are studying all possible scenarios, including closure, or a sale if the state of Victoria tells us that it cannot meet power-generating needs without this plant,” Kocher said.
Hazelwood, close to Melbourne, is supplied with lignite coal from an adjacent open-cut mine, which burned uncontrollably for weeks in early 2014.Hazelwood, close to Melbourne, is supplied with lignite coal from an adjacent open-cut mine, which burned uncontrollably for weeks in early 2014.
Engie’s Australian unit was charged in court in February with failing to provide a safe workplace and ensure public safety over the fire.Engie’s Australian unit was charged in court in February with failing to provide a safe workplace and ensure public safety over the fire.
Engie (formerly GDF Suez) acquired a majority stake in Hazelwood when it bought UK utility International Power in 2012 and currently owns 72% with Japanese group Mitsui & Co holding the remaining 28%.Engie (formerly GDF Suez) acquired a majority stake in Hazelwood when it bought UK utility International Power in 2012 and currently owns 72% with Japanese group Mitsui & Co holding the remaining 28%.
• Reuters and Melissa Davey contributed to this report• Reuters and Melissa Davey contributed to this report