Contingency energy plans put in place as Victorians face a scorching summer

Victoria faces a scorching summer and remains at a heightened risk of having to rely on back-up power supplies to avoid possible blackouts. This is our back-up plan involves.

Power supplies could be threatened by the lack of rain. Picture: Thinkstock

Victoria, facing a forecast scorching summer, remains at a heightened risk of having to rely on back-up power supplies to avoid possible blackouts.

The energy market operator has confirmed there are contingency plans to manage instances where the demand for power exceeds what is expected. These include having diesel generators on standby.

It also warned that power supplies could be threatened if levels of cooling water at the Latrobe Valley’s coal-fired stations fall too low because of a continued lack of rain.

In May, it was predicted that without further action there was a 1 in 3 chance of low energy reserves this summer.

WILL YOU SWELTER THIS SUMMER FOR FREE POWER?

ENERGY PRICE RISES STUNT BUSINESS GROWTH

South Australia sweltered through widespread blackouts in 2016. Picture: Craig Wilson

Electricity retailers will once again offer consumers incentives to switch off pool pumps and air conditioners in return for credits on their bills.

Major manufacturers have also agreed to drastically reduce power use on hot days.

Last summer, contingency power reserves were on standby but were not required.

Planning to secure supplies has taken into account an increased capacity to generate wind and solar power and two new utility-scale battery plants at Ballarat and at Gannawarra, near the NSW border.

The Gannawarra system, the largest integrated solar and battery storage plant in Australia, is now exporting and importing electricity to the grid and is ready to support the national energy system as power demand rises over summer.

Developed by a consortium comprising Edify Energy, Tesla and EnergyAustralia, the system is capable of powering more than 16,000 homes through two hours of peak demand before being recharged.

DIESEL MOVE TO KEEP LIGHTS ON IN VICTORIA

SWELTER AND CUT YOUR BILL THIS SUMMER

The chief executive officer of the Australian Energy Market Operator, Audrey Zibelman, said it was working with power generators to determine any impediments to operations during summer.

“The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting a hotter and drier summer which, coupled with other risks we have identified, suggest we have a challenging summer awaiting us,” Ms Zibelman said.

“But while we know that unexpected events can and do happen, particularly when the power system is under pressure and most prone to failure, AEMO is confident the plans we have made … have appropriately equipped us to tackle any unforeseeable events the upcoming summer might bring,” she said.

Federal Energy Minister Angus Taylor said the risk highlighted why the Commonwealth was pushing the obligation to supply reliable power and invest in “firmed” generation, such as battery storage.

[e-mail]