<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Eastern Australia faces waves of electricity outages if the country's biggest coal-fired power station closes as scheduled in 2027, the energy market operator warned today.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Origin Energy's Eraring power plant on the NSW Central Coast supplies about one quarter of the state's electricity and also feeds into Victoria and Queensland, but is due to close in less than two years.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In a new report, the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) says the owner of the NSW electricity network, Transgrid, faces an uphill task to install new equipment.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/energy-bill-rebate-comments-treasurer-jim-chalmers-inflation/51fa0981-73dc-447e-803b-53c9f5eefe58" rel="" target="_blank" title="Treasurer leaves door open to $5 billion early Christmas gift for every household"><strong><span>Treasurer leaves door open to $5 billion early Christmas gift for every household</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The infrastructure is critical for maintaining stability for the grid, but is unlikely to be installed until "at least 2028".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The AEMO report looked at power stations' system security - the ability to perform safely within their defined technical limits, withstand disturbances, and be able to restart in the event of a major outage.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>An important role is played by what energy experts call inertia, the regular frequency that has long been supplied by the revolving turbines of coal and gas plants.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/eraring-power-station-closure-risks-outages-across-nsw/26839aa6-77fb-4e75-a581-8c1fe324226e" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>But without power stations receiving the essential infrastructure, there is a greater risk of disruptions to the grid.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>AEMO is concerned that the scheduled closure of the Eraring plant could trigger a spike in blackouts for NSW customers.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The period of infrastructure renewal and technology change in the [National Energy Market] presents a heightened risk profile for system security," the report reads.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"AEMO may be forced to intervene to maintain system security at times when the market does not provide sufficient system security. These interventions may include contracts, directions and, if required, more severe measures.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Such interventions may come at a considerable cost to consumers."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><strong><span>Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple App Store</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>.</span></em></strong></div></div>