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Pipeline operator Epic Energy has said it needs to shut a main compressor for urgent repairs, restricting vital gas supplies. The upside is that at least the market has been warned this time, contrasting against the most recent shortage which was foisted upon the public without notice.
Regions south and eastward from Kalbarri face several days of darkness without air-conditioning if temperatures hit the high 30Cs for more than one day in the next fortnight. This Perth summer's week alone has seen several consecutive days around 34 degrees.
Epic Energy said it will restrict the amount of gas available next week to undertake repairs to one of two engines within a compressor station 230km north-east of Geraldton.
The Government was reportedly told of the repairs several months ago and asked Epic to delay work until after summer when electricity supplies are at a peak.
Perth's power supply suffered a tumultuous 2003 with Western Power warning of rolling blackout's in August and October, while large chunks of the city had their power supply cut when the Collie Power Station crashed due to a due to a faulty water monitoring device.
The ensuing investigations into WA's power structure revealed the state's energy supplies are being stretched by growing demand, ageing equipment and a dependence on the Dampier to Bunbury pipeline.
Western Power's 2003 Generation Status report claimed that the company will have just half the back up generation capacity it needs next year, regardless of whether its expansion program to meet future demand stays on track.
Prior to the Collie plant failure Western Power said it might defer the construction of a new $350 million power plant in the south west as there is a number of smaller generators planned for construction over the next few years. The company's alternate plan was to work on extending the life of the current generators beyond their planned retirement date.
However, the state's dependence on the Dampier to Bunbury pipeline means its closure would render these proposed new power stations useless.
