Vivid’s green light despite NSW Health told to power down

Energy Minister Matt Kean has given Vivid Festival the green light to display projections amid an electricity crisis squeezing NSW Health. Do you think he’s right? Vote in our poll.

Sydney’s super lightshow Vivid was given the green light to continue on Wednesday night by the energy watchdog, despite NSW Health being urged to lower power usage amid electricity shortfalls at the same time.

The NSW Government’s Martin Place offices were also lit up after Treasurer Matt Kean called on households to limit their use of electrical appliances like dishwashers on Wednesday, although it’s understood staff were still present in the building.

Mr Kean on Thursday defended keeping Vivid running despite public servants being urged to cut power.

“The New South Wales Government obviously looked at ways that it could minimise the electricity usage among non-critical services in the public service,” he said.

“That‘s not unusual. We do this from time to time.

Artist Coda Ridley pictured outside Crown in Barangaroo with projections that feature her artwork for Vivid festival. Picture: Damian Shaw

“We were advised by the Australian energy market operator that we didn‘t need to take steps to turn off Vivid.”

He said Vivid uses low-energy LED and energy efficient lights which put “minimal pressure on (the) electricity system”.

The Sydney Opera House illuminated as a part of the annual Vivid festival. Picture: Brendon Thorne

The energy Minister also said he was “cautiously optimistic” electricity uncertainty would ease in NSW today, confirming the Bayswater Power Station would come online today and pump extra power into the grid.

“I can inform the public that that generator will be coming online tonight, so supply conditions will ease,” Kean said on Thursday.

“That is the outlook, so we’re cautiously optimistic that everything will be fine for the foreseeable future.”

Opposition leader Chris Minns took aim at lights remaining on at the government staff headquarters at Martin Place during the power shortage warnings on Wednesday evening.

Chris Minns said Matt Kean has some explaining to do over government lights remaining on while there is an electricity shortage. Picture: Supplied

“That’s one for Matt Kean to explain,” he said.

“The people of NSW expect leadership here.

“Hospitals and health facilities were told during the day to minimise energy use. Strange that the same directions weren’t provided or followed by others in the government including ministerial offices.”

A spokeswoman for Mr Kean confirmed staff were working at the building “late into the night”.

“The offices have light sensors that switch off when nobody is there. Lights were on because staff were working till late into the night,” she said.