Australia's Energy Market Operator Prepares For Summer Power Supply, Adding 1.3 GW Of Storage Capacity

 

 

Australia's Energy Market Operator Prepares for Summer Power Supply, Adding 1.3 GW of Storage Capacity

 

The Australian Energy Market Operator (EAMO) briefed the industry on the upcoming summer outlook, including extensive preparations to support the operation of Australia's main energy systems during the hottest months. The agency spends months each year collaborating with government and industry to ensure reliable power supply in the East Coast National Electricity Market and the Western Australian wholesale electricity market during the summer.

 

Battery storage capacity in the National Electricity Market has increased by 1.3 GW since September last year, while 1.52 GW of grid-scale solar and 1.42 GW of wind power projects have reached full grid capacity during the same period, with 28 new projects contributing a total of 4.7 GW of installed capacity. The Western Australian market has added 300 MW of battery storage, with another 500 MW of projects undergoing summer commissioning. The 660 MW synchronous generator unit at Hunter Power Station is expected to commence commercial operation this summer.

 

To cope with anticipated peak demand, the agency has formed a backup power supplier team, ready to call up additional capacity if necessary. Ancillary capacity in Western Australia has played a crucial role during the record-breaking electricity demand of the past three summers. Natural gas inventories in both markets are at seasonally normal levels, and coal inventories remain at normal levels. Operators will continue to monitor operational risks during the summer and can ensure system stability through multiple measures, including recalling planned transmission and transformation maintenance, dispatching fully available capacity, and activating emergency reserves.