TheBeastie said:
The Hazelwood ran for 53 years without any major upgrades or rebuilds, it had a license to run till 2030.
Reality - it needed (literally) tons of repairs in 1996, and it is shutting down because they can't afford required repairs to five of the eight boilers.
You really need to get your information from reality-based sources.
========
RWE’s experts returned Hazelwood power station to its full capacity after the major refurbishment of two boilers and turbines and a substantial overhaul of six other units, on time and to budget. . . .
In July 1996, a team of over 300 on-site personnel started extensive refurbishment work, supported by many off-site international engineers. Progress was helped by contractors air-freighting 50 tonnes of components from the UK and by transporting another 800 tonnes by sea from Europe.
=======
http://www.rwe.com/web/cms/mediablob/en/217470/data/0/1/RWEs-expert-successfully-returned-Hazelwood-power-station-to-full-capacity.pdf
========
After 50 years of supplying Victoria with cheap electricity, the plant's owners Engie announced late last year that the site was no longer economically viable.
In the week leading up to its closure, there were last-ditch calls for government to step in and keep Hazelwood open. But these were dismissed by Engie as too late and too expensive.
Documents released to the ABC revealed the scale of improvements that would be needed to bring the plant up to scratch, with WorkSafe Victoria ordering Engie to repair five of the eight boilers to meet work health and safety standards.
=======
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-30/hazelwood-power-plant-shutdown-explained/8379756