The Prime Minister has issued a warning amid the energy crunch with households and even hospitals told to conserve power as the market operator was forced to suspend the electricity market across Australia for the first time since its creation.
The Australian Energy Market Operator was forced to suspend the spot market for the first time since its creation in 1998 - which includes NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, South Australia and ACT - on Wednesday afternoon.
Stream more Australian news with Flash. 25+ news channels in 1 place. New to Flash? Try 1 month free. Offer ends 31 October, 2022 In an email see by The Daily Telegraph, titled"electricity reduction required TODAY in non-clinical settings", staff were advised to bring down the air conditioning temperature to 20C, close windows and blinds and turn off any unused equipment and lights.
Patients will not be directly affected but it and the frustration of households has forced Mr Albanese to order energy companies to put their customers first. The Vivid light festival in Sydney could be cancelled with residents and hospitals already being told to conserve power heading into the weekend. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images
“We’re not telling people to turn off their heating … we’re just saying maybe if you’re washing the dishwasher at 7.30pm to delay it until 8.30pm.