Coal power still the dominant electricity in NSW with renewables hardly helping ... trends now
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Stark figures reveal one state's overwhelming energy reliance on fossil fuel even as it prepares to shut two major coal power plants.
On Wednesday Sydney 2GB radio host Ben Fordham noted on-air that the city's preceding two hot days, where temperatures climbed up to around 35C, almost led to blackouts in NSW.
He said the state's energy market operator triggered an amber alert to urgently call more power to the grid as it struggled keep air conditioners running.
Fordham said during the 48-hour period coal was the dominant source of power, contributing 68 per cent of the energy used.
The remaining third of power came from gas, which contributed a measly two percent, hydro was five per cent, while wind and solar generated 12 and 13 per cent respectively.
During a two-day heatwave coal proved to still be the dominant source of power for NSW, according to radio host Ben Fordham
Fordham said over past year coal had generated almost 73 per cent of the state's power needs, something not acknowledged by Coalition NSW Energy Minister Matt Kean or his federal Labor counterpart Chris Bowen.
'I think there a few politicians out there who owe us all an apology because the way they have demonised coal and gas has left us all vulnerable,' Fordham said.
'Coal is still the most vital energy source (but) those days are coming to an end.'
Fordham noted the Liddell Power Station in the N SW Hunter
