Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability Shane Rattenbury is strongly encouraging electricity consumers to help take some strain off our electricity supply during tomorrow’s hot weather conditions.
Earlier today the ACT was advised by the Australian Energy Market Operator of the potential for record high electricity demand across the NSW network due to extreme heat conditions. This, combined with the constraints on availability of black coal generation capacity in NSW, has the potential to give rise to minor supply shortfalls.
We want people to stay cool and out of the heat tomorrow but there are many actions we can take, apart from turning the fan or air conditioning off, to reduce the strain on our electricity network,” Mr Rattenbury said.
Before you go to work, turn off what you sensibly can and during the day think about whether you need to be using electrical equipment.”
Tips for residents to reduce electricity include:
- turn off unnecessary residential lighting
- restrict use of air conditioning (set temperature to 26oC or higher)
- minimise use of cooking equipment
- consolidate refrigeration and turn off unnecessary fridges
- avoid use of dishwashers, clothes dryers, vacuum cleaners & second TV
- turn off domestic pool pumping and heating operation for the day
- avoid use of TVs or computers for game purposes
Tips for businesses to reduce electricity include:
- limit the use of air conditioners to occupied spaces only and setting the thermostat to no less than 26°C
- turn off unnecessary interior lighting, particularly in unoccupied spaces
- turn off advertising lighting and any unnecessary exterior lighting
- turn off heating appliances for swimming pools or spas
- turn off appliances usually left in standby mode – including TVs, DVDs, videos, stereos, computers, microwave ovens, battery chargers and portable power supplies
- turn off computer hard drives and screens and only using 50 per cent or one of each type of other compliance, such as phones and faxes
- turn off water heating systems and urns during the hours of 6 am – 11 pm, except for food and beverage preparation and cleaning.
Given the hot weather, it is important people still take appropriate precautions for their own safety and comfort. We are just asking people to consider how they could limit their non-essential electricity use, especially during the peak expected electricity use period of Friday afternoon.
“The ACT Government will continue to work closely with ActewAGL and our NSW counterparts and assess and monitor the situation.
Mr Rattenbury said further updates will be provided as they become available. Updates will be provided on www.act.gov.au
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