The Australian Energy Market Operator has denied it ordered load shedding in Victoria during a heatwave in mid-February.
Temperatures soared to 44 degrees Celsius in New South Wales on February 10, pushing the state’s energy network to the limit.
Media reports suggested AEMO had warned the Victorian Government to warn some parts of the state could lose power so that electricity could be supplied to NSW.
According to a statement released by AEMO, at no point during the heatwave impacting Australia’s eastern states in mid-February did AEMO ask, instruct or direct load shedding in Victoria.
“Load shedding in North West Victoria would only have occurred to protect the power system from overloading,” the statement said.
“AEMO reiterates, the Victorian power system remained secure throughout the heatwave without the need to shed load.”
The statement said the North-West region of Victoria’s power system was under strain due to increased demand as a result of the heatwave on February 10, but load shedding was not directed.
AEMO’s recently published System Event Report, New South Wales, 10 February 2017 reported the interconnectors between Victoria and New South Wales were at, or above capacity, and therefore Victoria could not supply any further surplus energy to New South Wales.
