Victoria smashes 17-year old record for electricity demand as heatwave hits the grid hard

Victoria has officially set a new benchmark for energy consumption, surpassing a record that has stood for nearly two decades. As a brutal heatwave sweeps across the state, air conditioners are working overtime to keep residents cool.

Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio confirmed the milestone this evening via social media. The previous record, set back in 2009, was finally eclipsed as the mercury soared and the grid faced its toughest test in years.

While the figures are still being finalised, the sheer volume of electricity being pulled from the network is staggering. This surge in demand highlights the ongoing challenges of managing a modern energy grid during extreme weather events.

A record-breaking evening for the grid

The previous record for peak demand in Victoria was established during the infamous heatwave of January 2009. For seventeen years, that figure remained the high-water mark for the state’s energy infrastructure.

That record is now history as the state’s population and reliance on electrical cooling have grown significantly. The surge began in the early afternoon and peaked as residents returned home from work and school.

Minister D’Ambrosio took to X to share the news with the public as the numbers began to climb. She noted that the system was being pushed to its limits but remained operational despite the immense pressure.

Outages impact thousands of Victorian homes

Despite the grid largely holding up to the record demand, the extreme heat has not been without its casualties. Thousands of Victorians are currently spending their evening in the dark as local infrastructure struggles with the load.

Data from the AusNet Outage Tracker shows a significant number of unplanned outages across the eastern suburbs and regional areas. As of tonight, over 35,000 customers are reported to be without power across their network alone.

The maps provided by CitiPower and Powercor show a similar story for the western suburbs and regional Victoria. Major hubs like Werribee, Point Cook, and parts of Geelong are seeing widespread service interruptions.

Infrastructure under the pump

The issue isn’t necessarily a lack of generation, but rather the physical stress on local transformers and poles. High ambient temperatures combined with high electrical loads can cause equipment to overheat and fail.

Recovery efforts are currently underway, with crews working through the night to restore services to the most affected areas. However, some residents have been warned that power may not return until the early hours of tomorrow morning.

In areas like Sunshine West and Tarneit, estimated restoration times are currently sitting between midnight and 3:00 AM. This makes for a very uncomfortable night for families trying to sleep in the stifling heat.

The role of renewable energy and the SEC

The record-breaking demand comes at a time when Victoria is aggressively transitioning its energy mix. The State Electricity Commission (SEC) is at the heart of this strategy, aiming to bolster reliability through new projects.

Minister D’Ambrosio highlighted that the state’s investment in renewables is critical for moments like this. Solar and wind contributions during the day help offset the peak, though the evening ramp remains a challenge.

The push for household batteries and virtual power plants is expected to play a larger role in future summers. By decentralising storage, the pressure on the main transmission lines can be mitigated during these heat spikes.