Release Date: 03 January 2008
The shutdown yesterday at Woodside’s gas plant on the Burrup Peninsula has significantly affected today’s power supplies but Western Power expects that there should not be a need for rotational blackouts this afternoon.
Western Power says the shortage of gas caused by the fault on the North West Shelf Venture’s Karratha Gas plant reduced the amount of gas available to public and private gas generators.
Western Power, which does not own any generators but which manages the network and delivers power to nearly one million properties in the south of the state, says despite the extreme temperatures, there should be enough power available to the network.
At 2pm the network was recording power consumption at 3020 megawatts, approximately 240 megawatts higher than at the same time yesterday.
Western Power Managing Director Doug Aberle said he would like to thank all customers and industry participants for their ongoing support and for their voluntary reduction in power use.
Western Power has updated its website to include a live graph of power consumption as it progresses throughout the day.
Western Power says the shortage of gas caused by a fault on the North West Shelf Venture's Karratha Gas plant has significantly affected today's power supplies but expects that there will not be a need for rotational blackouts.
At 1pm the network was recording power consumption at 3010 megawatts, approximately 460 megawatts higher than at the same time yesterday.
The high temperature of 40.1 degrees, recorded at Western Power's East Perth Control Centre at 1pm, is causing the higher than usual power consumption.
Additional power generation has become available to the system and with the continued support of the public and businesses Western Power is confident there will not be a need for any power blackouts this afternoon relating to the gas shortfall.
Western Power Managing Director Doug Aberle said he would like to thank all customers and industry participants for their ongoing support and for their voluntary reduction in power use.
The shortage of gas caused by a fault on the North West Shelf Venture’s Karratha Gas plant has significantly reduced the amount of power available to Western Australia’s main electricity grid in the south of the state.
The gas shortfall has reduced the amount of power being generated and all homes and businesses are being asked to reduce their power use today.
Additional power generation has become available to the system and with the continued support of the public and businesses Western Power is confident there will not be a need for any power blackouts this afternoon related to the gas shortfall.
At midday 3450 megawatts of power was available and consumption was at 2850 megawatts.
Western Power Managing Director Doug Aberle said he would like to thank all customers for their ongoing support for their voluntary reduction in power use.
He said there has been tremendous cooperation between electricity and gas industry participants to make this extra generation available.
He said there has been great community effort responding quickly to the unforeseen problems created by the fault at Woodside's gas facility.
Due to an accident that has closed the North West Shelf Venture's Karratha Gas plant and dramatically cut gas supplies to WA's power generators Western Power has to urge businesses and homes to voluntarily reduce their power use today.
The amount of power being used at 10am was 2839 megawatts, which is about 400 megawatts higher than at the same time yesterday.
It is estimated that 3250 megawatts is available today.
Western Power is thanking customers for responding to the message to reduce their energy use.
People are asked to turn off their air conditioners unless they are looking after the elderly the sick or the very young.
Businesses are asked to use only essential lighting, reduced air conditioning where possible and half lift capacity.
Due to an accident that has closed the North West Shelf Venture’s Karratha Gas plant and dramatically cut gas supplies to WA’s power generators Western Power has to urge businesses and homes to voluntarily reduce their power use today.
The amount of power being used at 10am was 2795 megawatts, which is about 400 megawatts higher than at the same time yesterday.
It is estimated that 3150 megawatts is available today.
It appears customers and residents are still not heeding the call to reduce their energy consumption and it looks likely that blackouts will occur today.
Western Power is again urging customers to please reduce their energy use so there is enough power for all to share.
People are asked to turn off their air conditioners unless they are looking after the elderly the sick or the very young.
Businesses are asked to use only essential lighting, reduced air conditioning where possible and half lift capacity.
Due to an accident that has closed the North West Shelf Venture's Karratha Gas plant and dramatically cut gas supplies to WA's power generators Western Power has to urge businesses and homes to voluntarily reduce their power use today.
The amount of power being used at 9am is 2650 megawatts, which is about 300 megawatts higher than at the same time yesterday.
It is estimated that 3150 megawatts is available today.
Unless there is a significant voluntary reduction in power use this morning there is a likelihood that blackouts will occur today.
People are asked to turn off their air conditioners unless they are looking after the elderly the sick or the very young.
Businesses are asked to use only essential lighting, reduced air conditioning where possible and half lift capacity.
Due to a fault at North West Shelf Venture's Karratha Gas Plant that has dramatically cut gas supplies to WA's power generators, Western Power has to urge businesses and homes to voluntarily reduce their power use today.
Power use at 8am was 260 megawatts higher than at the same time yesterday morning.
Unless there is a voluntary reduction in power use this morning there is a likelihood that blackouts will occur today.
People are asked to turn off their air conditioners unless they are looking after the elderly the sick or the very young.
Currently 2442 megawatts of power is being consumed. It is estimated that 3150 megawatts is available today.
If you have any questions regarding this media release please email us: media@westernpower.com.au
Page update on 4 January 2008
