Blackout risk as severe heatwave sends mercury rising in eastern NSW

Residents in two states have been warned electricity blackouts could leave them in the dark as a sweltering heatwave puts electricity reserves to the test.

A heatwave warning remains in place for areas of NSW on Tuesday, including a severe warning for the Mid North Coast, Hunter, Metropolitan, Illawarra, South Coast and Southern Tablelands Districts.

Batemans Bay, Bowral, Camden, Campbelltown, Hornsby, Liverpool, Nowra, Penrith, Parramatta and Richmond are expected to be most affected by the heatwave, with the CBD tipped to hit 31C on Tuesday while areas like Richmond are set to hit 39C.

There’s a chance the soaring temperatures could lead to blackouts across the state as millions turn on the air conditioning.

NSW Premier Chris Minns on Monday acknowledged the electricity grid could be under pressure.

“We will be as quick as possible with updates to the community about potential interruptions with supply,” Mr Minns said.

Authorities have also issued blackout warnings for Queensland, with the highest-risk of blackout times being between 3.30pm and 7.30pm.

The severe temperatures come as power units at three of the state’s four coal-fired power stations undergo spring maintenance.

NSW Minister for Energy Penny Sharpe urged people to conserve energy, asking them to consider whether it was necessary to “have every single light on in the house” on a hot day.

“Do you need to have your airconditioning down at 19 degrees?” Ms Sharpe asked.

The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) on Monday confirmed three generator units at Lake Macquarie near Newcastle had gone offline.

“AEMO has alerted the energy industry and is working with power station operators and transmission businesses to boost electricity availability,” a spokeswoman said.

“If a market response remains inadequate, AEMO will take actions available to maintain supply.”

However, the operator later said that “forecast electricity reserves have improved” in NSW.

“As a result, the previously forecast Lack of Reserve Level 3 (LOR3) has been downgraded to a less critical Lack of Reserve Level 2 (LOR2). This improvement is largely due to the cancellation of transmission outages in the region,” AEMO said in a statement.

“AEMO remains focused on maintaining electricity reliability in both New South Wales and Queensland this week, as high temperatures are expected to drive strong energy demand amid significant generation unavailability in NSW.

“If electricity supply forecasts deteriorate, AEMO will take all necessary measures, including the activation of off-market reserves, to ensure supply reliability.”

CALLS TO AXE ‘FOSSIL FUEL DINOSAURS’

Member for North Sydney Kylea Tink issued a call for Australia to transition from “unreliable coal-fired power stations”, claiming it’s “time for the fossil fuel dinosaurs to face reality”.

“Businesses and households around the state are being let down by our unreliable, ageing coal-fired power plants,” Ms Tink said.

“The threat of blackouts before we hit summer shows the urgency at which Australia must transition to renewable energy backed by reliable storage technology.”

She claimed the situation highlighted “the Coalition’s nuclear fantasy is built on a house of cards”.

“There is no way Australia’s creaking coal fired power stations can support a dynamic, growing economy until the 2040s – when the first nuclear reactors could be expected to be built under Peter Dutton’s so-called ‘nuclear energy plan’,” she said.

“The only way for Australians to enjoy more affordable and reliable energy is to double down on investment in renewables, and invest heavily in large-scale battery storage solutions, backed by a national small-scale battery storage target.

“It’s time for the fossil fuel dinosaurs to face reality – coal is inflexible and unreliable, and any blackouts in NSW later this week will be squarely the fault of the state’s ageing and decaying coal fired power fleet.”

‘DANGEROUS’ SEVERE HEATWAVE

Residents in heat affected areas of NSW have been urged to seek a cool place and use fans or air conditioners where possible, according to an alert from the Bureau of Meteorology.

“Severe heatwaves can be dangerous for many people, especially older people, babies, children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, people with medical conditions and people who are unwell,” the alert states.

“Seek a place to keep cool, such as your home, a library, community centre or shopping centre.

“Close your windows and draw blinds, curtains or awnings early in the day to keep the heat out of your home.”