HAZELWOOD MINE TO BECOME LAKE
HOW LONG HAS IT OPERATED?
* Hazelwood has operated for more than 52 years.
* It supplies up to 25 per cent of Victoria's energy.
* When its closure was announced, it was employing 450 people directly and another 300 contractors.
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WHY IS IT CLOSING?
* The ageing and increasingly inefficient plant is the most expensive brown coal station in Victoria.
* For safe and efficient operation, $400 million would need to be invested and owner Engie says that much investment is not viable.
* Engie is moving away from coal across international operations.
SHUTDOWN
* The first three generators were shut down on Monday, followed by three more on Tuesday and the final two on Wednesday.
* The business will close for good on Friday, March 31.
* Other shutdown processes, including draining fluids, removing oil and industrial gases, will continue until at least the end of May.
DECOMMISSIONING
* Involves containment of hazardous materials, disconnecting electrical supplies, cleaning, securing the site and salvaging.
* Expected to take about 12 months.
DEMOLITION
* Preparations will take about two years, including consulting with regulators and tendering contracts.
* Systematic demolition will take about three years.
REHABILITATION
* Engie estimates the mine rehabilitation process will cost about $439 million .
* Rehabilitation of an eastern part of the mine has already started.
* At least four years of rehabilitation is needed before the mine can be turned into a lake.
* Water may be sourced from underground aquifers, seepage, water entitlements and managed water from the Morwell Main Drain.
* Investigations are underway to see if Hazelwood's pondage, used to cool the plant, Eel Hole Creek and Morwell River can be used.
* A full-pit lake would take more than 10 years to fill using a range of water sources.
* A partial-pit lake created by pumping from the aquifer would take six years.
SOURCE: Engie
