The extreme heat across Victoria and the neighbouring state of South Australia is causing high demand on the state’s electricity system,
Victorian Minister for Energy and Resources, Nicholas Kotsiras, said.
Minister Kotsiras said that for three consecutive days demand in Victoria has exceeded 10,000MW.
It is not expected that load shedding to customers will occur but the possibility cannot be ruled out.
“The potential exists for localised power outages related to bush fires,
lightning strikes and other impacts on the network system. If this occurs, distribution companies would work to restore supply as they would normally,” Minister Kotsiras said in a statement.
During the period of hot weather, the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) will be coordinating the management of power supplies.
Victorians can help themselves and the government by turning off non-essential electrical appliances and by adjusting their air conditioner settings to 21 or 22 degrees.
If you do experience a power outage, contact your distribution company,
whose details are on your electricity bill. Do not call 000 unless there is an emergency.
