Blackouts a risk in extreme conditions

VICTORIA will remain at risk of power supply shortfalls during periods over peak demand for the next two years, a new report has found.

The Australian Energy Market Operator predicted an average summer in 2017/18 would present a “low risk” of problems for Australia’s power network.

But it has warned that current power supply remains sus- ceptible to extreme conditions especially if there are generation or transmission problems or low wind and solar conditions during periods of peak demand.

The body responsible for operating Australia’s largest gas and electricity markets has already moved to be ban generators from undertaking summer maintenance and has ordered any “mothballed” plants to be forced into operation from October.

AEMO said Victoria and South Australia were most at risk of shortfalls in such conditions, which could result in people losing power through load shedding.

Chief executive Audrey Zibelman said the operator was working closely with governments and market participants to improve capacity in the sys- tem, so it can better cope with extreme situations.

It comes as a new report by former Loy Young chief executive Ian Nethercote claimed that building a new low emission brown coal power station in the Latrobe Valley would deliver lower power prices, ensure reliable electricity supplies while helping Australia to decrease its greenhouse gas emissions.