Will you be left in the dark? Why this summer could see millions of Australians facing power blackouts
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The switch from coal to renewable sources of energy is slowly becoming the norm all over the world.
And yet, while it's good for the environment, it does come with a certain risk to Australia's power reliability during the transitionary period.
This risk is highlighted in the Australian Energy Market Operator’s (AEMO) ten-year reliability report submitted to the National Electricity Market and gives out a chilling warning to the nation that this summer may be when the lights go out for millions across Australia.
According to AEMO, Victoria and South Australia may face the brunt of it, with the risk of blackouts this year due to a lack of renewable energy sources and rundown coal-fired power stations.
The blackouts could affect New South Wales in 2025 and Queensland in 2029.
The regulator has called for urgent plans to include new investments into renewables, storage, generation and transmission to close off any gaps and to ensure the grid is fully operational and available to meet the demand of this year's blistering summer, which is expected to see air conditioners working overtime.
AEMO CEO Daniel Westerman has commented on the report, saying: ‘That is due to a hot and dry summer that's been forecast in contrast to the relatively cool and wet summers that we've seen for the last couple of years.’
‘Over the ten-year outlook, we continue to forecast reliability gaps, mostly due to the expectation that 62 per cent of today’s coal fleet will retire by 2033,’ he explained.
The problem has been compounded by a few coal-fired power stations being taken out of service as they approach the end of their working life.
Mr Westerman added: 'The entire industry is focused on managing the risks in the summer ahead, particularly during high-demand periods coupled with generation outages and low renewable output, but some risk will remain.'
Federal Energy Minister Chis Bowen insists that the risk of blackouts happening is minimal and that the state and federal governments are in collaboration with the power industry to do everything in their power to prevent it.
‘All the governments are working together with AEMO to make sure that our grid is as stable as it possibly can be going into what will be a very hot summer,' he assured.
Shadow Energy Minister Ted O'Brien has blamed the government's 'radical experiment' of replacing fossil fuel power with renewable energy for the dire outlook.
'Australia is now paying some of the highest prices for electricity in the world', he said. ‘They have no guarantee that when they flip the switch at home, lights will even come on.'.
Snowy Hydro 2.0 is a major energy project being touted to play a key role in Australia's clean energy transition, but reports claimed that costs have already skyrocketed from the original estimate of $2 billion to what's believed to be more than $12 billion.
This project–announced in 2017–is expected to play a key role in Australia's clean energy transition. It will connect two dams in Southern New South Wales via almost 30km of tunnels, with an underground power station in between.
Snowy Hydro 2.0 will also use excess wind and solar energy to pump water uphill before releasing it during peak periods. Originally slated for a 2021 finish, elevated construction expenses and other contributing factors hindered its completion.
This project plays a significant role in the government’s goal of making the electricity grid 82 per cent renewable by 2030.
What do you think of this story, members? Can you provide some advice on getting ready for power outages? Share them in the comments below!
And yet, while it's good for the environment, it does come with a certain risk to Australia's power reliability during the transitionary period.
This risk is highlighted in the Australian Energy Market Operator’s (AEMO) ten-year reliability report submitted to the National Electricity Market and gives out a chilling warning to the nation that this summer may be when the lights go out for millions across Australia.
According to AEMO, Victoria and South Australia may face the brunt of it, with the risk of blackouts this year due to a lack of renewable energy sources and rundown coal-fired power stations.
The blackouts could affect New South Wales in 2025 and Queensland in 2029.
The Australian Energy Market Operator said the rolling blackouts could affect the nation starting this year. Credit: adriaticfoto/Shutterstock
The regulator has called for urgent plans to include new investments into renewables, storage, generation and transmission to close off any gaps and to ensure the grid is fully operational and available to meet the demand of this year's blistering summer, which is expected to see air conditioners working overtime.
AEMO CEO Daniel Westerman has commented on the report, saying: ‘That is due to a hot and dry summer that's been forecast in contrast to the relatively cool and wet summers that we've seen for the last couple of years.’
‘Over the ten-year outlook, we continue to forecast reliability gaps, mostly due to the expectation that 62 per cent of today’s coal fleet will retire by 2033,’ he explained.
The problem has been compounded by a few coal-fired power stations being taken out of service as they approach the end of their working life.
Mr Westerman added: 'The entire industry is focused on managing the risks in the summer ahead, particularly during high-demand periods coupled with generation outages and low renewable output, but some risk will remain.'
Federal Energy Minister Chis Bowen insists that the risk of blackouts happening is minimal and that the state and federal governments are in collaboration with the power industry to do everything in their power to prevent it.
‘All the governments are working together with AEMO to make sure that our grid is as stable as it possibly can be going into what will be a very hot summer,' he assured.
Shadow Energy Minister Ted O'Brien has blamed the government's 'radical experiment' of replacing fossil fuel power with renewable energy for the dire outlook.
'Australia is now paying some of the highest prices for electricity in the world', he said. ‘They have no guarantee that when they flip the switch at home, lights will even come on.'.
Snowy Hydro 2.0 is a major energy project being touted to play a key role in Australia's clean energy transition, but reports claimed that costs have already skyrocketed from the original estimate of $2 billion to what's believed to be more than $12 billion.
This project–announced in 2017–is expected to play a key role in Australia's clean energy transition. It will connect two dams in Southern New South Wales via almost 30km of tunnels, with an underground power station in between.
An artist’s impression of the Snowy Hydro 2.0 Project. Credit: Snowy Hydro
Snowy Hydro 2.0 will also use excess wind and solar energy to pump water uphill before releasing it during peak periods. Originally slated for a 2021 finish, elevated construction expenses and other contributing factors hindered its completion.
This project plays a significant role in the government’s goal of making the electricity grid 82 per cent renewable by 2030.
What do you think of this story, members? Can you provide some advice on getting ready for power outages? Share them in the comments below!
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