Urgent warning about energy use in one state as mercury spikes to 40C

Australians are being told to reduce their energy use during peak hours, as temperatures soar around the country to uncomfortable degrees.

Sydneysiders are being urged to temporarily reduce the use of non-essential electrical items, such as a dishwashers during peak hours, as the mercury soars to 40C.

Heatwave warnings have been declared in four states over the coming days, including Queensland, Western Australia and ACT.

With scorching temperatures hitting the country, the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has warned businesses and households to prepare for electricity supply to be under pressure.

AEMO forecasts power use in NSW to peak between 5pm and 9pm.

This forecast has lead to the NSW Government to encourage the community to reduce energy use between these peak hours, where possible and safe to do so.

Heatwave warnings continue across much of the country into the weekend and next week. Picture: Bureau of Meteorology

They are asking residents to redcue non-essential appliances, including dishwashers, washing machines and dryers.

They are being asked to use late at night or wait until the morning.

However, the NSW Government said: “Reducing electricity use must not compromise health”.

“Nobody should turn off an appliance they need. Instead, we’re asking households to make small changes to the way they use non-essential appliances”.

NSW ambulance services reported a 20 per cent increase in call outs since temperatures began to spike, which is an additional 500 calls to triple zero, due to the high temperatures.

Superintendent Candice Andrews from NSW Ambulance said “There’s a lot of dangers with heat related illnesses and they can affect anyone”.

Encouraging those who are experiencing heat related illnesses to call triple zero or go to hospital immediately.

Aussies are being told to seek share and shelter as much as they can, stay out of the heat and keep hydrated.

Also try to keep your home cooler by keeping their blinds drawn and have windows closed.

New South Wales will continue to experience high daily top temperatures from Thursday into the weekend. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Monique Harmer

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued heatwave warnings for every state and territory, except for Victoria and Tasmania, from Wednesday through to Sunday.

“Low intensity to severe heatwave conditions over parts of southeast NSW, and far north Queensland extending through The Gulf Country into northeast NT,” the BOM said in a heatwave update on Wednesday afternoon.

“Low intensity heatwave conditions over the ACT, most of NSW and Tasmania, northern and central Victoria and parts of the northwest NT.”

Similar heatwave conditions are also tipped to start across WA’s Kimberley Region, building to extreme in isolated areas from Thursday.

Temperatures in Penrith should reach 40C on Thursday. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

“Low intensity to severe heatwave conditions over parts of central and northern WA, much of central and northern NT, southeast Queensland, northeast NSW, and northwest SA,” said BOM, with those conditions forecast to carry through to Sunday.

“Low intensity heatwave conditions over far west Queensland, and eastern NSW.”

Sydney is looking at a top of 37C with the chance of a thunderstorm on Thursday, clearing and cooling to 27C on Friday.

Temperatures will climb back to 33C on Saturday, around which they’ll hover over the proceeding few days.

There is a chance of thunderstorms on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Heatwave warnings have been issued for every state and territory except Victoria and Tasmania. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

While it’s a mostly sunny 34C in Brisbane on Thursday, before a shower or two and the chance of a storm with a top of 35C on Friday.

Maximum temperatures will remain in the low to mid-30s through to Wednesday, while showers will persist through to Monday.

In Perth conditions will remain sunny and hot throughout the next week, while in Adelaide temperatures will creep up from the low 20s to 32C on Monday.

Maximum temperatures in Darwin will remain in the mid 30s for the next week, with rain and possible thunderstorms expected every day through to Wednesday.

Showers are also expected in South Australia’s capital on Monday, before temperatures drop back down to 23C on Tuesday.

Things will cool off after several hot days in Melbourne, with maximum temperatures sliding down into the low 20s after Thursday, before spiking at 31C on Monday.

Some showers are expected on Tuesday.