24,500 People Impacted by ‘Hazardous’ Blackout in NSW, Electricity Availability Decreased

July 9, 2024 TruthUSA

In NSW, legislation has been passed to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 and a 70 percent reduction in climate emissions by 2035.

More than 24,000 Australians in northern New South Wales (NSW) experienced a power outage after a transmission line tripped, leading to load shedding to maintain grid stability.

The blackout affected residents in Ballina, Lismore, and surrounding areas around 6:30 p.m. on July 8, with power being restored a few hours later.

Nationals MP Kevin Hogan described the blackout as “exceptionally dangerous.”

Essential Energy confirmed that the load shedding was directed by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) and TransGrid to safeguard transmission system security.

Mr. Hogan, representing the Page electorate in NSW, demanded a full explanation for the abrupt power cut to the Northern Rivers region.

At 6:17 p.m., Transgrid was instructed to shed 40 megawatts of electricity supply near Lismore to address security threats to the power system.

Following the incident, the AEMO decided to reduce load in the Lismore area to stabilize the power system after exhausting other options.

The Lismore to Coffs Harbour transmission line is currently out of service but is expected to resume functioning by July 12.

Wind and Solar Energy in NSW

The NSW government is striving to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 and reduce climate change emissions by 70 percent of 2005 levels by 2035.

NSW has approximately 13,500 MW of renewable energy generation capacity, representing around 54 percent, including solar, wind, hydro, and biomass power stations.

Over the past five years, the use of wind and solar energy has more than tripled in the state, with about 800,000 households and small businesses utilizing small-scale solar and major wind farms contributing over 1,800 MW.

There are nearly 200 large-scale renewable energy projects in the NSW planning system worth almost $50 billion, with close to 35,400 MW capacity.

At the federal level, different approaches to achieving net zero emissions include the Australian Labor Party’s focus on renewable energy and the Coalition’s proposal to build nuclear reactors in Australia.

While solar and wind energy play a substantial role in the energy mix, various countries operate zero-emissions nuclear plants, with more considering the option.

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