A severe heatwave is affecting Sydney and surrounding areas, with temperatures expected to reach up to 39C in some regions. The heatwave has pushed power supply to the limit, with a lack of reserve capacity leading to concerns of blackouts. Residents are advised to take precautions to stay cool and avoid health risks.
Heatwave Impacts
The heatwave will favor thunderstorm activity over parts of eastern Australia, including the prospect of heavy rainfall as tropical moisture is dragged southwards. Victoria faces high winds, particularly in the state’s north-east.
Health Advice
Residents should draw blinds and curtains and close windows early in the day to keep heat out of homes. The Bureau also noted that severe heatwaves can be dangerous for many people, especially older people, babies, children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, people with medical conditions, and people who are unwell.
Temperature Forecasts
Sydney’s CBD is predicted by the Bureau of Meteorology to be the hottest capital for the day, with a top of 34C forecast – or the warmest since the end of February. Regions expecting low to high 30s today also include the Hunter and Illawarra districts to Sydney’s north and south, respectively.
LOR3 Forecasts
LOR3 forecasts have been relatively rare for New South Wales until the past week, when the operator has issued a cluster of them only to cancel as generators responded. About 6 gigawatts of coal-fired power station capacity remains unavailable, including about 3 GW that was not previously scheduled.
Temperatures to Climb towards 40C
Temperatures are expected to climb towards 40C in parts of Sydney, with the city’s west being the hottest point. Penrith has already exceeded 35C on Wednesday morning, and is forecasted to reach a top of 39C.
Power Supply Alerts
AEMO has been issuing alerts calling for more generation from electricity suppliers to ensure power is not interrupted. On Wednesday morning, AEMO said a so-called level 3 lack of reserve (LOR3) condition was possible later in the day as solar output decreased towards sunset. By 4:30 pm AEDT, the market was likely to require 84 megawatts of additional supply to avoid interrupted load – or blackouts.
Power Shortage Looms
By 4:30pm AEDT, the market was likely to require 84 megawatts of additional supply to avoid interrupted load – or blackouts. This is due to a lack of reserve capacity, with about 6 gigawatts of coal-fired power station capacity remaining unavailable.
Power Prices to Spike
Wholesale power prices may also spike to their ceiling of $17,500/megawatt-hour later on Wednesday, AEMO data indicates.
Health Advice
The NSW health advice warns that severe heatwaves can be dangerous for many people, especially older people, babies, children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, people with medical conditions, and people who are unwell. Residents are advised to seek a place to keep cool, such as their home, a library, community centre, or shopping centre.
Impacted Locations
Locations likely to be impacted by severe heatwave conditions include Batemans Bay, Camden, Campbelltown, Hornsby, Liverpool, Nowra, Penrith, Parramatta, Richmond, and Wollongong. The heatwave is expected to peak on Wednesday, then ease by the weekend.
Heatwave Conditions
As of mid-morning, suburbs in Sydney’s south and west were the hottest points in Australia, with Penrith exceeding 35C on its way to a forecast top of 39C. The site has now clocked five days in a row above 35C. Temperatures will again climb towards 40C in parts of Sydney, keeping energy authorities on edge.
- theguardian.com | Power supplies stretched as early season Sydney heatwave nears its peak
