Extreme heat and drought could cause summer blackouts, energy market operator says

Heatwaves can limit generator capacity and lead to equipment failures, Aemo warns

Extreme weather over summer could reduce the output of coal, gas and hydro power generators and cause problems with the reliability of electricity supply, according to the Australian Energy Market Operator.

While there has been extensive political debate in Australia about the reliability of various forms of energy supply, the market operator will make the point on Friday that extreme weather imposes significant stress on the supposed ramparts of the system - thermal generators and transmission infrastructure.