With the closure of Hazelwood power station in Victoria, and the upcoming climate talks in Morocco, Australia should be looking to renewable energy, writes Dr Liz Bashford.
The climate change talks in Marrakech which start this week will put a spotlight on Australias poor contribution to the Paris agreement to keep world global average temperatures below 2 degrees.
For all the Governments dogged support of the coal industry which is tarnishing our international reputation, Australias reliance on polluting coal could be coming to an end.
Engie announced the closure of the aging Hazelwood power station in Victoria last week, in response to a market with low wholesale electricity prices, falling electricity demand, and a company commitment to deal with climate change by phasing out coal-fired power stations.
There have also been recent closures of power stations in Victoria (Morwell and Anglesea), WA (Worsley, Muja AB), SA (Playford B, Augusta), NSW (Redbank and Munmorah) and Queensland (Collinsville and Swanbank B).
