Australian power station fire will not worsen energy crisis, market operator says

The Liddell coal-fired energy station is pictured within the Hunter Valley, north of Sydney, Australia, April 9, 2017. REUTERS/Jason Reed/File Picture/File Picture

SYDNEY, June 19 (Reuters) – A fireplace that ripped by a New South Wales energy station on the weekend won’t have an effect on electrical energy provide, the Australian Power Market Operator (AEMO) stated on Sunday, ruling out a worsening of the vitality disaster gripping the nation’s east.

Provide has been stretched since mid-Could within the closely populated east, with about 25% of 23,000 megawatt (MW) of coal-fired capability taken offline for upkeep or unplanned outages. Coal provide disruptions and surging world costs of coal and gasoline have exacerbated the state of affairs. learn extra

The AEMO, which manages electrical energy and gasoline methods and markets nationwide, stated on Friday there was sufficient electrical energy provide to satisfy forecast demand over the weekend, easing the rapid concern of potential east coast blackouts. learn extra

Late on Saturday, the company stated on Twitter it was conscious of a “substation fireplace” on the Tallawarra energy station, at Yallah, a suburb of Wollongong, a metropolis about 80 km (50 miles) south of Sydney, however stated the blaze was not anticipated to additional pressure energy provide.

“We want to reassure clients in (New South Wales) that this won’t affect the electrical energy provide,” AEMO stated.

The blaze resulted from mechanical failure in a redundant transformer, fireplace authorities stated, with greater than 60 firefighters working to convey it underneath management.

Greater than 10,000 litres (2,600 gallons) of oil caught fireplace, and placing out the blaze is prone to take a number of days, information web site 9 stated.

New South Wales Treasurer Matt Kean stated situations within the vitality market had been trying sturdy after one other energy generator got here again on-line on Saturday evening.

“There’s greater than sufficient provide to satisfy demand for the foreseeable future, and that is the recommendation of the AEMO,” Kean advised reporters in Sydney on Sunday.

On Wednesday, the AEMO suspended the nationwide electrical energy market, taking management of provide and pricing in an unprecedented step backed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who stated it was wanted to curb “gaming” of the system.

Since then, coal-fired mills have introduced 1,900 MW of capability again on line, the Australian Power Council has stated, lowering blackout dangers.

Reporting by Samuel McKeith in Sydney; Modifying by William Mallard and Clarence Fernandez

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