As the mercury soars and the sun beats down with an intensity that heralds the arrival of summer, residents are bracing themselves for more than just the heat.

The season's first significant heatwave is set to coincide with outages at big coal-fired power stations, raising the spectre of blackouts across the state.


The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has issued multiple 'lack of reserve' (LOR) alerts for NSW and Queensland, indicating that power supplies will become 'tight.'

A LOR3 alert, the highest level, was initially forecast for NSW on Wednesday afternoon, only to be replaced by another LOR3 warning for Thursday.


NSW faced the possibility of an 'interrupted supply,' or blackouts, with a potential shortfall of 205 megawatts at peak times.

The critical period identified was between 3 pm and 4 pm AEDT on Thursday, when demand may outstrip supply without further market responses.

AEMO has been proactive, alerting the energy industry and working with power station operators and transmission businesses to boost electricity availability.


However, if the market's response falls short, AEMO has indicated it will take 'actions' to ensure supply.

Queensland is not immune to these challenges, with inadequate reserves flagged for periods stretching from afternoon to evening.

This highlighted the broader issue that south-eastern Australia faced its most extensive heat belt, with almost six gigawatts of coal-fired power stations unavailable due to maintenance.

Energy specialist Dylan McConnell from the University of NSW points out that about half of the unavailable coal capacity is due to scheduled maintenance, which is typical in the lead-up to summer.

However, the window for maintenance may be shrinking as hot days extend further into the shoulder seasons, necessitating power availability throughout the year.


Even without blackouts, NSW and Queensland can expect volatile pricing in the wholesale power market.

This volatility reminds us of the complex interplay between our energy infrastructure and the unpredictable nature of the climate.

NSW Energy Minister Penny Sharpe has urged caution, advising the public to take care of themselves in the heat and to be mindful of their power usage.

Simple measures like staying hydrated, checking on neighbours, and being sensible about air conditioning and lighting can make a significant difference.

While the immediate concern is the risk of blackouts, the heatwave also elevates fire dangers.


Thankfully, the Rural Fire Service indicates that fire risks in NSW are likely to remain in the 'medium' to 'high' category for now, thanks to light winds and a landscape that has yet to dry out fully.

Temperature records have already been broken in parts of Australia, with Coonawarra in South Australia and Essendon airport in Victoria experiencing unprecedented November heat.

This extreme weather pattern is becoming more common and serves as a reminder of the changing climate.
How are you preparing to save energy during the heatwave? What are you doing to stay safe and informed about possible blackouts? Let us know in the comments below.