Statewide blackout in Australia raises questions over renewable energy

SYDNEY: Power was restored to the state of South Australia yesterday after storms a day earlier caused an unprecedented statewideblackout whichdisrupted operations at mining majors like BHP Billiton, closed ports and halted public transport.

The blackout of the country’s fifth most populous state, with 1.7 million people, prompted calls on Thursday for an inquiry into the power sector and questions over whether the state’s reliance on renewable energy exacerbated the situation.

Authorities said power had been restored to 90 per cent of the state by Thursday morning, but further disruption was possible with gale force winds and heavy rain forecast.

“Let’s focus now and take this incident as a real wake-up call... lower emissions is very important but it must be consistent with energy security,” said Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

Coal- fired power plants dominate the country’s power sector resulting in Australia being one of the world’s biggest carbon emitters on a per capita basis.

Renewable energy has struggled to increase its footprint in recent years due to scepticism over climate change amongst some the country’s leading politicians.

South Australia, a major wine producer and traditional manufacturng hub, is one of the few state’s with a heavy reliance on renewable energy.

Wind power provides roughly 40 per cent of the state’s electricity supply.

“Questions have to be asked: Is their over-reliance on renewable energy exacerbating their problems and the capacity to have a secure power supply,” Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, a climate change sceptic, told Australian Broadcasting Corp radio on Thursday.

The blackout happened after strong winds destroyed major powerlines north of the state capital Adelaide and lightning struck a power plant, causing a surge across the grid. — Reuters