Grim power warning as ‘bumpy winter ahead’ for Queensland

QUEENSLANDERS are being asked to cut unnecessary power use as they are warned of a “bumpy winter ahead” amid the ongoing energy crisis – but it is still fine to keep the heater on for now.

Residents have been assured there will be no blackouts in the near future, unless there are unexpectedly coal generator outages, but up to a third of coal-powered generator units in Queensland are currently offline putting pressure on the system.

The assurances are despite the Australian Energy Market Operator continuing to forecast power supply shortages overnight Tuesday and into Wednesday, as electricity generators reduce supply despite having capacity to do more.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has promised to raise the ongoing issue with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at national cabinet on Friday.

Authorities say there is no need for residents to reduce power used for safety or comfort – like heating and airconditioning – but asked that unnecessary usage like appliances left on stand by should be cut to take pressure off the grid and their power bills.

Regulators have written to power generators warning them that they will face penalties if they game the system.

It is the third day in a row AEMO has been forced to cap wholesale prices, triggered after the surging costs hit a threshold, which has seen some generators reduce the amount of power supply they are putting into the system.

AEMO has the power to direct generators to put more electricity into the grid, and has now used it several times in recent days as it seeks to avert blackouts.

Prime Minister Albanese said blackouts would not have to be part of the short-term future for Queenslanders, as AEMO had successfully intervened in the market to prevent supply shortfalls.

“That is the system that is in place, but the problem we’re dealing with here is you have often coal-fired power stations that are reaching the end of their life,” Mr Albanese said.

Energy Minister Chris Bowen said Australians should “expect a bumpy winter ahead”, but that he was confident blackouts could be avoided as long as there were no unexpected outages at coalfired power stations.

“There is enough supply to avoid those … in the foreseeable future subject to unexpected closures,” he said.