WEST Australians are being urged to cut back on power usage today, despite temperatures set to hit 40C, after a failure at one of the state's major gas plants.
The state's electricity distributor Western Power said rolling blackouts will be avoided if people close up their houses instead of using air conditioners, and turn off all non-essential appliances.
An electrical fault at Woodside's Karratha Gas Plant yesterday dramatically cut gas supplies, with 20 per cent of the state's power generators affected.
Western Power managing director Doug Aberle said homes and businesses should only use essential power, even though the thermometer is set to hit 40C in Perth today.
"If enough power can be conserved by homes and businesses voluntarily reducing their power use then there should not be a need for power interruptions,'' Mr Aberle said.
"There is a good chance that with responsible voluntary reduction in energy use there will be enough power for all to share.''
Western Power said Woodside had told the Australian Stock Exchange it was investigating the cause of an incident at North West Shelf Venture's Karratha gas plant.
The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting a maximum temperature of 40C for Perth today.
Western Power recommended that consumers:
Turn off all non essential appliances and lighting.
If possible avoid using air-conditioners.
If an air conditioner was essential, set it no lower than 24C.
Close windows and blinds to stop the home heating up.
Turn off all appliances at the wall.
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