By NOEL MURPHY
ALCOA has received multiple expressions of interest in its Anglesea coal mine and power plant, a spokesperson has confirmed.
Eighty jobs could be lost at the plant unless Alcoa sells it after closing the company’s Point Henry operations, set to lay off 520 staff on 1 August in a first round of 800 job losses.
The Anglesea plant has supplied 40 per cent of Point Henry’s electricity since 1969 via a 45km high-voltage powerline. Essential Services Commission exended the power plant’s licence last month.
Alcoa has previously indicated “general interest” in the plant among potential buyers but this week confirmed it was formally going through an expression of interest process with multiple suitors.
“We’ve had some but I can’t tell you exactly how many,” the spokesman said when asked how many potential buyers were involved.
“The process, as you’d appreciate, is subject to commercial confidentiality. We called for expressions of interest and we’re working through that process, so that information wouldn’t be public.
“We can’t comment on individual companies that might have expressed an interest.”
Alcoa hopes to sell the plant before the end of the year. The Anglesea plant’s excess electricity would go into the national market as Alcoa winds up the Point Henry operations.
Australian Workers Union state secretary Ben Davis welcomed the news of potential buyers.
“If Alcoa is talking to potential buyers that’s fantastic,” Mr Davis said.
“Obviously there are confidentiality issues that we’ll have to respect but we’d encourage any sale. It would be welcome if it meant looking after the jobs of 80 people at the power station.”
Some Angelsea residents want the facility closed, arguing it is a dangerous polluter and health risk.
Surf Coast Air Action condemned “suggestions” an unnamed foreign-controlled company was conducting due diligence on the Alcoa site.
“It’s outrageous that the Anglesea and Surf Coast communities are being kept in the dark about an issue that is of vital interest to them,” said group spokesperson Dr Jacinta Morahan.
“I would urge any company that may be interested in Anglesea to consult openly with the community so that it can properly understand the depth of the opposition to the continued operation of the mine and power plant.
“This issue is not going to go away and a sale without community consultation or support will simply intensify the opposition.”
