Major Power Stations Offline Amid Scorching Conditions
New South Wales residents are enduring a relentless heatwave, with temperatures expected to skyrocket up to 39°C across parts of the state. Over the past five days, eastern NSW has been sweltering through the hottest spring in four years, with temperatures consistently hitting around 35°C.
Severe Heatwave Warning in Place
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a three-day severe heatwave warning for eastern NSW, including regions like Sydney, Hunter, Illawarra, Mid North Coast, South Coast, and Southern Tablelands. On Wednesday, temperatures are anticipated to soar 12°C above the seasonal averages.
Areas such as Batemans Bay, Camden, Campbelltown, Hornsby, Liverpool, Nowra, Penrith, Parramatta, Richmond, and Wollongong are set to feel the brunt of the heat. By 3 pm on Wednesday, Sydney’s western suburbs are expected to reach scorching temperatures between 39°C and 40°C.
Power Outages Affecting Millions
As the oppressive heatwave continues, millions of people across NSW have been warned of possible power outages. The extreme temperatures are forcing residents indoors, leading to increased energy usage as air conditioners and fans work overtime to keep homes cool.
The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) announced that major power stations were “unavailable” as of 11 am on Wednesday due to forced and planned outages.
“AEMO is working with industry to manage electricity reliability during high-demand, heatwave conditions in NSW,” the operator said in a statement. “We have flagged this risk to industry through market notices urging all available generation to return to service and restore all available powerlines across the grid to meet consumers’ electricity needs.”
To manage the low electricity supply forecasted for the afternoon and early evening, AEMO is looking to procure additional reserves.
Blackouts Already Hitting Parts of the State
On Tuesday afternoon, blackouts struck several areas of Sydney, including the CBD spots like Pitt St, Sussex St, and King St, plunging them into darkness. Early on Wednesday morning, more than 6,000 residents in Wagga Wagga and other parts of the Riverina region woke up without power.
While energy distributor Ausgrid confirmed that Tuesday’s outages were due to a faulty underground cable and weren’t heat-related, AEMO warned that energy supplies might be at risk as the heatwave continues.
“We are experiencing some quite unseasonably hot weather… and effectively that is a summer heatwave while we are still here in spring,” AEMO chief executive Daniel Westerman said.
Scheduled maintenance on three of the state’s four coal-fired power stations—Bayswater, Vales Point, and Eraring—has also contributed to the tight electricity supply.
“It is pretty normal for both generation and transmission to use periods in autumn and spring to undertake maintenance activities that do need to happen,” Westerman added.
Heatwave Extends to Other Regions
The scorching conditions aren’t just confined to NSW. Parts of northern Western Australia and northern and eastern Queensland are also feeling the heat, with maximum temperatures expected to soar into the mid-to-high 30s. Severe conditions are expected to persist until the weekend.
In Queensland, places like Weipa and Thursday Island are tipped to reach 38°C by 3 pm on Wednesday. Blackout warnings have also been issued for Queensland, as the heatwave puts a strain on energy supplies there too.
Contrasting Weather in Victoria
Meanwhile, Victoria is experiencing a completely different set of weather challenges. Heavy fog and rain have blanketed the skies, with humidity expected to reach 100% on Wednesday.
Overnight, severe thunderstorms impacted parts of northern Victoria and western, inland, and southern NSW. These storms brought strong, damaging wind gusts and heavy rainfall, leading to flash flooding in some areas.
A severe weather warning for damaging winds has been issued for parts of the northeast, East Gippsland, and West and South Gippsland districts. Wind speeds exceeding 110 km/h are anticipated across mountain peaks but are expected to ease by mid-afternoon.
Weather Forecast for Major Cities
Sydney: Expect a top of 34°C on Wednesday. While conditions will be mostly sunny, there’s a chance of cloudy skies and some rain in the evening.
Melbourne: Wet and humid with a top of 28°C. There’s an 80% chance of showers in the early morning and afternoon, along with the possibility of a severe thunderstorm.
Brisbane: Partly cloudy skies with a maximum temperature of 25°C. There’s a medium chance of a shower or two in the evening.
Perth: Bright and sunny with a maximum temperature of 29°C and wind speeds up to 35 km/h.
Adelaide: A wet day with a high chance of showers in the morning and early afternoon, reaching a top of 23°C.
Hobart: Foggy start, leading into the afternoon with a 90% chance of rain and a potential thunderstorm.
Canberra: A maximum temperature of 29°C with a very high chance of rain and a possible thunderstorm. Winds will increase to 35 km/h in the morning before easing off.
Darwin: Hot and wet with a high likelihood of showers in the late morning and afternoon, plus a chance of a thunderstorm. Temperatures will reach a top of 32°C.
Relief on the Horizon?
Residents in NSW can expect the hot weather to stick around for a couple more days before rain brings some much-needed relief on Friday and Saturday.
As the heatwave continues its grip, authorities are urging everyone to stay safe, stay hydrated, and be prepared for possible power outages. Keep an eye on official updates and take care of vulnerable family members and neighbours during these extreme conditions.
Stay tuned for more updates on the heatwave and its impact across the state. Remember to follow energy-saving tips to help ease the strain on the power grid, and don’t forget to look out for each other during this sweltering spell.