Transport NSW staff told to rug up or work from home as office heating is set to be reduced

Australia’s energy crisis has resulted in a desperate call being made to office staff, imploring them to work from home to reduce strain on the grid.

Brooke Rolfe

@rolfeb

2 min read

June 16, 2022 - 10:45AM

Transport staff have instructed to dress for chilly office temperature or work from home if they can under a bold attempt at reducing strain on the NSW energy grid.

Transport NSW secretary Rob Sharp on Wednesday distributed an email to all staff asking that they stay home, or wear clothing suitable to the weather conditions given building managers will be told to “reduce the temperature in all our office locations”.

Mr Sharp’s email, which has been uploaded to Twitter, revealed Transport had been asked by the Australian Energy Market Operator and the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment to help “reduce the pressure on the grid”.

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Transport NSW secretary Rob Sharp has asked staff to work from home. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Christian Gilles

“Transport and its agencies are putting energy reduction plans into action immediately, to support the whole of government response. Where possible, building managers will be adjusting air conditioners to balance energy and use and comfort,” part of the email read.

“We ask that those who can, please work from home for the rest of the week,” he wrote.

People who needed to work from offices were requested to adopt a host of changes including turning off all “non-essential lighting, office equipment, computers and screens”.

They were also told to “close blinds on external windows and ensure external doors and windows are kept closed to keep offices cool”.

Stand-alone airconditioning units should be reduced in temperature by one to two degrees, and any site-specific measures that would reduce demand should be adopted, Mr Sharp added.

Mr Sharp said building managers would be dialling down the temperature. Picture: Twitter

Staff logging on from home were also asked to make changes like switching off their heating devices, unnecessary lighting and non-essential appliances, and pool pumps.

The measures would be in effect for at least two days, with staff to be contacted with any further changes that needed to be made.

Transport NSW has been contacted by news.com.au for comment.

The Australian Energy Market Operator highlighted there was currently an issue with the available electricity supply being equal to or less than the operational demand.

“This means there are no reserve supplies available. Controlled load shedding may be required as a last resort to protect system security and prevent long-term damage to system infrastructure,” its website stated.

All staff were asked to work from home or dress for chilly office temperature. Picture: Google Maps

According to AEMO, as of Thursday morning, demand was outstripping power generation in NSW and South Australia. Supply in Queensland, Tasmania and Victoria appeared to be covering demand.

By 11am, the AEMO had issued multiple Level 3 Forecast Lack of Reserve (LOR) notices for NSW, Victoria and Queensland.

The Level 3 LOR were forecast during the times of:

NSW: Wednesday from 5.30pm to 7pm, 8pm to 10.30pm and Wednesday midnight to Thursday 00.30am.