Victorians asked to cut power use as heatwave conditions push the grid into overdrive

Victoria's electricity operator is asking residents and businesses to reduce their power consumption to reduce the risk of blackouts.

Power lines Source: AAP

Australia's south-east is once again experiencing heatwave conditions, putting pressure on power supplies. 

The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast high temperatures and humidity levels will continue over the weekend which has fire crews already battling blazes in the ACT, New South Wales and Victoria.

Temperatures in Victoria are expected to exceed 40 degrees Celsius today, including a forecast top of 43 degrees in Melbourne, prompting the state’s electricity operator to ask Victorians to reduce power consumption. 

The Australian Energy Market Operator is urging Victorians to try and reduce their energy usage between 1pm and 8pm to help decrease the chances of power blackouts, with the state expected to face its highest demand for electricity in more than five years.

“While there are currently sufficient electricity reserves to manage the peak electricity demand today, this situation could change. For example, should a major generator fail, or weather conditions further deteriorate,” the AEMO said in a statement.

Victoria could be in for a summer of blackouts. Source: AAP

The heat is also expected to intensify fire conditions, with a severe fire danger in place in the Mallee, Wimmera, Northern Country, North Central, South West and Central District and a total fire ban enforced in all regions except Gippsland and the northeast.

Victoria's Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp has urged Victorians to remain on alert and have a fire plan.

“It's not too late to develop your plan, sit down with your family. What are you going to do? Importantly with that plan, when are you going to put it in place?

“If you're going to wait until you see the smoke or the fire at your doorstep, it's far too late, you've got to get out early. That's been the message we've pushed throughout this summer,” he said.

Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp addresses the media at the State Control Centre in Melbourne. Source: AAP

ACT declares state of emergency

The heatwave conditions in the ACT have forced the territory's emergency authorities to declare a state of emergency.

Firefighters are concerned the Orroral Valley Fire, which is burning just outside of Canberra, could impact the city.

The fire in the Namadgi National Park has already burnt through over 18,500 hectares, and while crews conducted back burning on Wednesday in order to try and contain the blaze, they warn it is likely to worsen with the fire behaving in ways they have never seen before.

Smoke rising from the Namadgi National Park fire. Source: RALPH HURST-MEYERS

ACT Emergency Services Commissioner Georgeina Whelan has warned the heatwave conditions are “waking up” the fire and said authorities have "prepared for the worst".

"Over the next 72 hours, our community will be subject to possible road closures, evacuations, and any other action required to keep our community safe," she said.

The Orroral Valley fire was started accidentally by the light of an Australian Defence Force helicopter generating enough heat to ignite grass, an error the Department has apologised for.

Hot weekend for NSW

Temperatures are forecast to reach the mid-40s this weekend, thanks to a hot air system moving south of the country dragging heat over NSW, particularly the state's eastern coastal region.

NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys warned people thinking of cooling off at the beach that conditions on the coastline could be dangerous with strong coastal winds of up to 30 knots expected on Friday and Saturday.

“Special care should be taken when swimming in rivers and dams where submerged objects may pose unexpected risks.

"If your children are out swimming, whether that is at the beach, a river, a dam or your backyard pool, and regardless of their age - they need to be supervised," he said.

People enjoy the hot weather at Bondi Beach.Sydney,Australia.Tuesday January 15 2019.(AAP Image/Ben Rushton) NO ARCHIVING Source: AAP

Total fire bans have been issued for the Monaro Alpine, Southern Ranges and Southern Slopes areas with dry and windy conditions forecast, but New South Wales residents can look forward to next week when weather is expected to cool.