Bushfires in the Snowy region a potential risk to NSW energy supply
Minister Matt Kean and agency TransGrid have assured residents they are working to protect NSW’s electricity supply after concerns about soaring temperatures.
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Energy companies, the RFS and National Parks have been working furiously to safeguard NSW’s electricity supply, with Saturday’s blistering temperatures and raging bushfires expected to threaten critical power structures, including the Snowy Hydro scheme and the Victoria to NSW Interconnector.
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Energy Minister Matt Kean said measures had been taken to identify and protect key generating and transmission assets in the Snowy Mountains
He said conditions would be closely monitored throughout the day.
“I’ve been working closely over the past few days with TransGrid, Snowy Hydro, AEMO, the RFS and NPWS to identify and protect key generating and transmission assets in the Snowy Mountains ahead of Saturday’s forecast hotter conditions,” Mr Kean said.
“I’ve been advised by the Australian Energy Market Operator that we are not forecasting any supply shortfalls for NSW tomorrow.
“NSW currently has over 2,100MW of generation reserves available, of which the interconnector with Victoria makes up less than 1,000MW.”
Metro Sydney temperatures high 30s to 40 degrees and demand exceeding 12000 MW. (With more than 2100 MW of reserve generation).
Energy operator TransGrid said the volatile temperatures could put the state’s electricity at risk, but the RFS conducted backburning late on Friday around the at-risk Upper Tumut substation in a bid to protect supply in a bid to safeguard supply.
“Yesterday, TransGrid discussed with RFS the particular risk at the Upper Tumut substation and RFS subsequently carried out hazard reduction (back burning) operation late yesterday. It needed to be done before winds and temperatures picked up today and tomorrow.”
But TransGrid said bushfire danger to the interconnector energy supply was managed by the company in Spring and December last year and should be able to cope with conditions today.