Blackouts imminent in THREE Australian states as ELECTRICITY CRISIS deepens
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Australia is in the midst of a power crisis, with the potential for blackouts in three states in the coming days. It could be worthwhile getting your blankout kit ready (and no, not a carton, we’re talking about torches, candles and blankets).
The situation has been sparked by a major coal plant losing half its capacity, and there are fears that power companies are withholding power to manipulate pricing.
The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has issued a warning that consumers from Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia might experience blackouts in the coming days, as Energy Australia's Yallourn power station loses half its capacity.
It should be noted that the plant, which was said to stop operations in 2028, provides 20 per cent of Victoria's electricity needs.
Residents of the aforementioned states are being urged to restrict their power use to prevent blackouts
The situation is likely to continue into the night, with electricity supply shortfalls forecast for the third evening in a row.
Additionally, forecasts suggest that Victoria will experience energy shortages on Wednesday night at around 6.30pm, 6pm in Queensland and 8pm in NSW.
AEMO is scrambling to meet electricity shortfalls, and it's all thanks to the government's $300/ megawatt-hour price cap on wholesale electricity.
Generators are revising their market availability in response to the cap, and as a result, there are shortages.
Additionally, some reports suggest that some providers advise customers to either unsubscribe from their services or have their bills doubled.
Energy Australia's Yallourn power station loses half its capacity, leading to possible power interruptions in Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia. Credit: AAP Image.
AEMO is working to try to mitigate the effects, but it's an uphill battle.
The agency's statement read: "Wholesale electricity prices are capped in Queensland, NSW, Victoria and South Australia, due to wholesale prices reaching the cumulative high price threshold."
"The price cap will remain until cumulative wholesale electricity prices fall below the cumulative price threshold."
Meanwhile, Mark McGowan, the Premier of Western Australia, has announced plans to close two coal-fired power stations in the next 10 years and replace them with renewable energy sources.
This is a huge deal, not just for Western Australia, but for the entire country. Coal has been the main source of energy for Australia for many years, but now it's time to move on to cleaner, more sustainable sources of energy.
There is already a lot of support for this transition, with officials believing that almost 4000 megawatts of electricity supply are in reserve.
The initiative has also prompted Australian Energy Regulator to write to power companies and generators, telling them to start making the switch to renewable energy.
West Australian Premier Mark McGowan has announced plans to close two coal-fired power stations in the next 10 years and replace them with renewable energy sources. Credit: Shutterstock/ymgerman.
AER chairperson Clare Savage said: "Recently the AER has observed that following the application of administered pricing in the NEM, generators are withdrawing available capacity from the market."
"This behaviour may be motivated by generators seeking to avoid the administered pricing compensation process in favour of the (AEMO) directions compensation process."
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will be addressing the energy crisis in a cabinet meeting in Gladstone, Central Queensland on Wednesday. This comes as federal energy minister Chris Bowen says steps have been taken to avoid any load-shedding or blackouts along the east coast.
With major problems expected to be avoided, Albanese and his cabinet will be discussing the energy crisis and what can be done to improve the situation.
Mr Bowen said: "It has required AEMO (the market operator) to direct generators to bid into the market to provide the energy system with electricity."
The energy minister also said that people do not need to refrain from using their heaters, especially now that we are experiencing cooler temperatures. However, he advised that Australians should unplug non-essential appliances and devices.
"I expect most of those things would have been turned off already because power bills are so high," he said.
"So swimming pool filters, swimming pool heaters and outside lighting … There is a general request that the market is tight and if they can be turned off then that would be useful."
So, there you have it, folks! For those of you who are living in Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia, we advise that you keep an eye out for announcements from your local government about electricity interruptions.
We would also like to ask you about your thoughts on this. Do you think it's high time for the country to shift its energy source from coal to alternative sustainable sources?
The situation has been sparked by a major coal plant losing half its capacity, and there are fears that power companies are withholding power to manipulate pricing.
The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has issued a warning that consumers from Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia might experience blackouts in the coming days, as Energy Australia's Yallourn power station loses half its capacity.
It should be noted that the plant, which was said to stop operations in 2028, provides 20 per cent of Victoria's electricity needs.
Residents of the aforementioned states are being urged to restrict their power use to prevent blackouts
The situation is likely to continue into the night, with electricity supply shortfalls forecast for the third evening in a row.
Additionally, forecasts suggest that Victoria will experience energy shortages on Wednesday night at around 6.30pm, 6pm in Queensland and 8pm in NSW.
AEMO is scrambling to meet electricity shortfalls, and it's all thanks to the government's $300/ megawatt-hour price cap on wholesale electricity.
Generators are revising their market availability in response to the cap, and as a result, there are shortages.
Additionally, some reports suggest that some providers advise customers to either unsubscribe from their services or have their bills doubled.
Energy Australia's Yallourn power station loses half its capacity, leading to possible power interruptions in Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia. Credit: AAP Image.
AEMO is working to try to mitigate the effects, but it's an uphill battle.
The agency's statement read: "Wholesale electricity prices are capped in Queensland, NSW, Victoria and South Australia, due to wholesale prices reaching the cumulative high price threshold."
"The price cap will remain until cumulative wholesale electricity prices fall below the cumulative price threshold."
Meanwhile, Mark McGowan, the Premier of Western Australia, has announced plans to close two coal-fired power stations in the next 10 years and replace them with renewable energy sources.
This is a huge deal, not just for Western Australia, but for the entire country. Coal has been the main source of energy for Australia for many years, but now it's time to move on to cleaner, more sustainable sources of energy.
There is already a lot of support for this transition, with officials believing that almost 4000 megawatts of electricity supply are in reserve.
The initiative has also prompted Australian Energy Regulator to write to power companies and generators, telling them to start making the switch to renewable energy.
West Australian Premier Mark McGowan has announced plans to close two coal-fired power stations in the next 10 years and replace them with renewable energy sources. Credit: Shutterstock/ymgerman.
AER chairperson Clare Savage said: "Recently the AER has observed that following the application of administered pricing in the NEM, generators are withdrawing available capacity from the market."
"This behaviour may be motivated by generators seeking to avoid the administered pricing compensation process in favour of the (AEMO) directions compensation process."
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will be addressing the energy crisis in a cabinet meeting in Gladstone, Central Queensland on Wednesday. This comes as federal energy minister Chris Bowen says steps have been taken to avoid any load-shedding or blackouts along the east coast.
With major problems expected to be avoided, Albanese and his cabinet will be discussing the energy crisis and what can be done to improve the situation.
Mr Bowen said: "It has required AEMO (the market operator) to direct generators to bid into the market to provide the energy system with electricity."
The energy minister also said that people do not need to refrain from using their heaters, especially now that we are experiencing cooler temperatures. However, he advised that Australians should unplug non-essential appliances and devices.
"I expect most of those things would have been turned off already because power bills are so high," he said.
"So swimming pool filters, swimming pool heaters and outside lighting … There is a general request that the market is tight and if they can be turned off then that would be useful."
So, there you have it, folks! For those of you who are living in Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia, we advise that you keep an eye out for announcements from your local government about electricity interruptions.
We would also like to ask you about your thoughts on this. Do you think it's high time for the country to shift its energy source from coal to alternative sustainable sources?
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