Victorians told to avoid using dishwashers, washing machines with heat on energy grid

Victoria and SA have seen temperatures soar, and there’s more in store for coming days.

Victoria and South Australia are sweltering today, but Saturday is shaping up to be the worst day of this heatwave for NSW and Queensland according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

Hopetoun, in Victoria’s northwest, had reached 47.4C by 2:16pm, with the bureau of meteorology declaring that “on preliminary analysis” it has broken all December records for Victoria.

The previous hottest December temperature for anywhere in Victoria was 46.6C at Robinvale, also in the state’s northwest, on New Year’s Eve in 1976.

Hopetoun's temperature of 47.4°C at 2:16pm is, based on preliminary analysis, the hottest December day on record for #Victoria. This exceeds the previous record of 46.6°C at Robinvale on 31/12/1976. Latest observations at https://t.co/x7v8srDVQU

— Bureau of Meteorology, Victoria (@BOM_Vic) December 20, 2019

Sydney’s CBD is expected to avoid the worst of the heat, but most of the suburbs away from the coast are expected to cop it with predictions of 47 in Penrith and 46 in Richmond.

It’s a similar story for Western Queensland, with Birdsville looking at seven days of 45C+ temperatures.

And there’s more to come next week. BoM meteorologist Dean Narramore told The Australian hot air was forming over Perth in West Australia and will move east bringing heat across the Australian continent between Christmas and New Years Eve.

Minerals Council hits back at Andrews

The head of the Minerals Council has described as “offensive” claims by Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio that renewable energy is “more reliable” than coal-fired power.

Grattan Institute energy program director Tony Wood on Thursday dismissed the claims, saying the state’s key problem­ is a lack of supply following the closure of the Hazelwood coal-fired plant in 2017.

On Wednesday, Mr Andrews blamed ageing coal-fired generators for forecast blackouts, saying: “The problem with coal-fired power is when you need it most it is the least reliable … that’s why we are investing like no other government in renewable energy.”

Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio dug in on Thursday, ahead of a forecast December record temperature of 44C on Friday, saying: “The biggest risk to power supply this summer is our ageing coal-fired power plants failing us when we need them most, just like they did last summer.”

“Renewables are more reliable, faster to build and cheaper to run,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.

Minerals Council CEO Tania Constable said Mr Andrews and Ms D’Ambrosio’s comments were “offensive to the thousands of Victorians working in coal mines and power plants to try and help keep Victorian hospitals, homes, and workplaces safe and cool.”

“Shame on them,” Ms Constable said.

“Rather than demonise coal and the thousands of people who work and invest in the industry, the Minerals Council of Australia would like to take this opportunity to thank all Australians working in the energy sector for their work today.

“We thank our coal industry, our renewable energy industry, and our gas and hydro electricity industry, all of which will be providing vital electricity service today.

“Australia’s energy challenges will only be solved through having all technologies available to deliver reliable, affordable and clean energy for Australia.”

Victorians told to avoid using dishwashers, washing machines

Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos has urged Victorians not to use appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines in order to maintain the security of the state’s energy grid, as Melbourne’s mercury reached 39.1C and Hopetoun Airport in Victoria’s northwest was the hottest place in the state at 45.4C just before 1pm on Friday.

“The energy experts assure us that we have sufficient energy supply for today,” Ms Mikakos said.

“But it is sensible to not turn on your dishwasher and your washing machine and all your electrical appliances on days like today.

“In terms of airconditioning part of our heat messaging today is in fact, to stay inside cool buildings and seek airconditioned buildings — that might be in your own home but it might well be in shopping centres and cinemas and other places that are cool on days like today.

“We do urge people to think about their energy usage on days like today but we as a government, of course, are making sure that we are providing the environment to create more renewable energy in our state and make sure that our energy supply is secure.”

Ms Mikakos’s comments came after Grattan Institute energy program director Tony Wood dismissed Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews’s claim renewable energy is “more reliable” than coal-fired power, saying the state’s key problem­ is a lack of supply following the closure of the Hazelwood coal-fired plant in 2017.

The Australian Energy Market Operator had not issued any market notices warning of a lack of supply early on Friday afternoon.

Heatwave heads east as nation sizzles

Much of Australia is preparing for scorching temperatures as the heatwave rolls east.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) is forecasting temperatures 14 degrees above average across central and western Victoria and 16 degrees above average in South Australia.

A statewide Total Fire Ban remains in place across NSW. More favourable conditions are expected today, ahead of dangerous fire weather forecast for tomorrow. Ensure you & your family have a bush fire survival plan, & know what you will do if a fire threatens. #nswrfs #nswfires pic.twitter.com/34NMbKcHoT

— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) December 19, 2019

South Australia is facing its fourth straight day of searing heat, with Friday shaping up to be the worst day of the heatwave for Victoria, with temperatures in the high 40s.

Through inland parts of NSW we expect to see temperatures in the high 30s and low 40s and even into the mid 40s in some areas.

Canberra is looking at 41 degrees on Friday and Saturday, but the heatwave will break by Sunday.

Brisbane escapes the worst of the heatwave, 33 degrees on Friday and Saturday.

Sydney faces a hot smoky day ahead, but experts are warning Saturday will be the worst day yet with a top of 33.

Dean Sgarbossa, senior meteorologist, on Thursday warned high temperatures and wind poses a catastrophic risk for firefighters over the weekend.

“The high temps, low humidity will drive fire dangers in fire affected areas of NSW,” he said.

“Wind shouldn’t be as strong as back in November when we had catastrophic fire danger, none the less winds will strengthen and become gusty as a cold front approaches from the west.”

The cold front is expected to make its way up the coast and reach the Sydney area between 2-5pm and then make its way up the rest of the coast up Sunday morning.

Meanwhile smoke from the NSW fires has shrouded Melbourne’s CBD as Victoria’s capital braces for record breaking temperatures.