Vic: Power supply to be hit but consumers safe: authorities

AAP General News (Australia)
08-01-2000
Vic: Power supply to be hit but consumers safe: authorities

Industrial action is set to plague one of Victoria's major electricity suppliers tomorrow,
but authorities say consumers will be largely unaffected.

About 450 unionists will tomorrow wind down generation at Yallourn Energy from 1,450
to 950 megawatts and restrict the amount of coal used by half to around 18,000 tonnes.

But the National Electricity Market Management Company and the Victorian Energy Networks
Corporation say a reduction by 500 megawatts won't affect the state's power supply.

NEMMCO spokesman PAUL PRICE says unlike New South Wales, Victoria uses a lot of gas
heating, so its winter loads won't be as high as summer peaks.

However, Yallourn's acting chief executive officer MIKE SMITH says he he can't gauge
the ultimate effect of the work bans, warning a breakdown in the mine could mean running
out of coal.

The Australian Services Union and the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union
authorised the work bans over a stalemate in talks for a new enterprise bargaining agreement
with Yallourn Energy.

AAP RTV hmg/er/wz/jn

KEYWORD: YALLOURN (MELBOURNE)

2000 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.