Power swap ‘ knife edge’

QUEENSLAND recorded a peak electricity demand of 8150MW on January 2, sparking concerns from an energy expert that increased exports to New South Wales could weaken the state’s supply.

Between January 1 and 7, Queensland exported and imported power across the Queensland- New South Wales interconnector.

Queensland was exporting up to 1140MW to NSW during that time, while up to 340MW was being imported. The maximum statewide demand for the week was 8150MW about 3.30pm last Tuesday.

However while Queensland Resources Council chief executive officer Ian Macfarlane said it was sufficient to meet summer demands, Queensland was exporting twice as much energy, potentially placing pressure on local generators.

“Queensland electricity exports, as a percentage of consumption, reached 13 per cent in the latest quarter of avail- able data ( Australian Energy Regulator), doubling from 6.5 per cent in the same quarter in 2016,” he said. “Because we’re exporting twice as much and if NSW is relying more and more on imported power, what happens if one of their power stations breaks down or demand can’t be met?”

At Queensland’s peak demand last week, a Powerlink spokeswoman said there was 2500MW of generation in reserve.

The statewide peak demand was also less than the 9369MW that was reached in February 2017.

“The more we send them ( NSW) the less capacity we have here,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“The whole system is under pressure and every time it’s under pressure electricity gets more expensive.

“A crisis will more than likely be from a power station failure ( interstate).

“Demand is certainly on a knife edge.”

The CEO said resources were fuelling 86 per cent of the state’s generators with 67 per cent deriving from black coal and 19 per cent from gas.

Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington said Queensland used to be a major electricity exporter.

“Now with Queensland prices so high we are seeing New South Wales sending us more and more electricity,” she said.

“New South Wales generators are capitalising on record high electricity prices in Queensland.”

A Government spokeswoman said Queensland’s power system was secure and ready to keep homes and business powered.

“The Australian Energy Market Operator has forecast that Queensland will have more than 3000MW in reserve, which is more than adequate,” she said.

“That’s enough to power 600,000 households – that’s roughly six times the number of households in Townsville.

“We can’t control what a Queensland summer may throw at us, but we are as prepared as we can be.’’