Victoria’s summer energy supply on knife’s edge due to power station chaos

Authorities are still scrambling to repair massive issues at Victoria’s power suppliers as the state’s summer energy security remains on a knife’s edge.

The power station in Yallourn, Victoria. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Daniel Pockett

Victoria’s energy security for this summer is on a knife’s edge after two separate disasters hit major power suppliers.

Authorities are still scrambling to repair massive cracks to Yallourn power station’s coal mine after floods this year, while a blaze that burnt for three days at the state’s new “big battery” project near Geelong caused millions of dollars of damage to two battery banks.

The Sunday Herald Sun can reveal that the CFA investigation into the fire at Moorabool has found that the likely cause of the incident was an electrical fault.

“The fire has been deemed non-suspicious, and investigators have deemed the cause of the fire to be an electrical fault,” a CFA spokesperson said.

Operator Neoen and creator of the battery banks, Tesla, said they were still investigating the damage and it was too early to tell whether a November start date for the 300MW project would be threatened.

While the CFA probe is complete, there are separate inquiries underway by Energy Safe Victoria and WorkSafe Victoria.

A spokesman for the company said that once all investigations were complete it would be “sharing learnings and insights with the industry”.

“From Wednesday, civil and mechanical construction activities on site recommenced and are

managed in co-ordination with the relevant authorities,” he said.

“We will proceed with energisation only when the outcome of the investigation provides all parties with full confidence that it is safe to do so.”

Opposition energy spokesman Brad Rowswell said the government must ensure a “plan B” is in place should either fix hit additional hurdles.

“If the Big Battery isn’t back up and running, and if there’s a further critical failure at Yallourn, what happens then?” he said.

Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said safety would come first when it came to the battery project, and timelines for the project’s completion would be clearer in the near future.

On Yallourn, the minister said the market operator is not forecasting any supply shortfall so there is no immediate impact on network system security.

“The Victorian Government has accepted EnergyAustralia’s proposal that will ensure necessary repairs to the Yallourn Mine not only to secure Victoria’s energy supply but protect mine workers, the South Morwell community, water entitlement holders and the environment,” she said.

“We are continuing to work with the Australian Energy Market Operator to ensure Victoria’s energy security now and as we approach summer. AEMO has advised that Victoria’s energy supply remains secure.”