South Australia now supplying electricity to Victoria, as wind power surges

Victoria now relying on SA for power as wind production rises and coal plants close, Adelaide Now Daniel Wills, State Political Editor, The Advertiser December 3, 2018 Green-powered South Australia is now sending Victoria more electricity than it takes back as wind production surges, leading energy experts to warn that more storage is the key to keeping the local grid stable.

A major report from the Australian Energy Market Operator has revealed SA was a net exporter to Victoria during the 2017-18 financial year, marking the first time that has happened in at least nine years.

However, the switch is mostly due to the closure of Victoria’s huge Hazelwood coal-fired power station, leaving it more reliant on SA for power.

AEMO warns both states are at risk of forced blackouts this summer due to possible power shortages.

SA’s emergency diesel generators could be needed to keep lights on. It says plans to link SA and NSW with a new interconnector “will be critical to help maintain reliability in an efficient manner”.

SA Energy and Mining Minister Dan van Holst Pellekaan has seized on the findings as evidence his election pledge to deliver the NSW link should be fast-tracked.

He said a new scheme to add subsidised home batteries to rooftop solar systems would also help better use SA’s renewable power. Just under half of SA’s power supply is renewable………..https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/victoria-now-relying-on-sa-for-power-as-wind-production-rises-and-coal-plants-close/news-story/bdd06cf1b584e1cf18f0d03994b679c7?fbclid=IwAR238objot3GsYDha-K_aCBO6PKs_7UIDmlbOHTwESKiLsCXF3ezqtV2OCs