Mon-Fri 9AM to 8PM (AEST)[Melbourne, 14 February 2024] Severe weather struck Victoria on Tuesday, February 13th. The weather incident crippled power distributors statewide. An estimated 530,000 homes were without power, and a regional farmer died. Current reports suggest power restoral could take weeks in some locations.
Between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. on Tuesday the 13th, 544,000 lightning strikes occurred. Wind gusts up to 130kmph were also recorded within a 600km radius of Melbourne. Six high-voltage transmission lines collapsed during the storms.
By 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) had restored power to 57,000 homes. However, many are still without electricity.
AGL’s Loy Yang power station, which supplies electricity to over a third of the state, was forced to shut down due to the collapse of major transmission lines. Power has been restored to some units, but the plant is still not fully functioning.
Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio has labelled it “one of the largest outage events in the state’s history”.
If Victorian residents weren’t already concerned about energy prices, they are now. In response to the outage, electricity prices spiked. The AEMO saw electricity prices rise to $16,000 per megawatt hour from around $200.
Decreased supply and increased demand Potentially can result in further energy price rise. If you haven’t already, take advantage of the Energy Bill Relief Fund – a $250 rebate for Victorian households. You can also check your energy plan on Vic compare or compare Victoria on https://compare.energy.vic.gov.au/
Electricity providers are your lifeline in uncertain times. Instability in energy connection makes having the right provider crucial. Energy providers work closely with distributors to reduce connectivity issues, giving you peace of mind in emergencies.
Finding the right electricity provider is critical in the wake of this outage. Energy prices were already rising, and the price spike caused by the storm will take time to settle. Make sure you are getting the lowest price available.
As communities grapple with the storm’s aftermath and navigate the uncertainty surrounding energy prices, informed decision-making is paramount. Seeking out the most competitive rates and suitable plans can reduce financial burdens. Utility comparison services, like Cheap Bills & Move In Connect, are valuable. They help customers compare energy finding ways to reduce energy bills. By leveraging these tools, households can protect themselves and secure reliable energy solutions tailored to their needs. These solutions will reduce the financial impact of the energy price increases.
