Warning as power grid struggles in blistering heatwave
NSW residents were being asked to reduce their “unnecessary” electricity usage until 8pm Thursday night amid soaring temperatures.
Matt Keane, the NSW Minister for Energy and Environment tweeted a statement warning of “tight conditions” due to the weather, fire damage to some transmissions and mechanical issues at some power stations.
“Asking community to help reduce demand between 4-8pm by turning off pool pumps, unnecessary appliances & turning up aircon to 24*C,” Mr Keane tweeted.
ALERT: weather conditions, fire damage to transmission & mechanical issues at some power stations led to tight conditions in the electricity system. Asking community to help reduce demand between 4-8pm by turning off pool pumps, unnecessary appliances & turning up aircon to 24*C
— Matt Kean MP (@Matt_KeanMP) January 23, 2020
“The tight conditions in the electricity system this afternoon are largely a result of the state's weather conditions, bushfire impacts on transmission lines and mechanical issues at some of the state's power stations,” Mr Keane said according to AAP.
Bushfires cut power to more than 7,500 customers on Thursday afternoon.
The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) also issued a statement, regarding the “tight” electricity supplies across the state.
“There is currently an actual Lack of Reserve 2 (LOR2) market notice issued for 2:30pm to 6pm Thursday 23 January in NSW due to very high temperatures, the ongoing impact of severe NSW bushfires on transmission assets, and unscheduled coal generation outages,” the statement said.
“To help minimise the impact of supply shortfalls this afternoon, NSW consumers can temporarily reduce their energy usage where it is safe and possible, by avoiding running multiple appliances at once, setting air conditioners to 24 degrees, and temporarily switching off pool pumps.”
Thursday temperatures reached 42C in western Sydney at Penrith and Richmond and further inland at Coonamble and Bourke.
Thursday's heat saw bushfires threatening the same areas in southern NSW that were scorched in recent weeks.
Parts of NSW could experience Extreme fire danger ratings on Thursday as a burst of hot and windy weather affects the state: https://t.co/k7Hg8FsIKP pic.twitter.com/x6FUIbDlcz
— Weatherzone (@weatherzone) January 22, 2020
Seven NSW fire regions stretching from the Queensland border to the Victoria border were under total fire bans including greater Sydney.
All seven regions were deemed to have a "severe" or "extreme" bushfire risk.
There were around 70 fires burning across NSW at 6pm, with more than half of those uncontained.
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.
