Outrage as Australia's energy crisis worsens with hospitals ordered to reduce electricity use and millions warned not to use appliances at night: 'We're rationing power like a 3rd world country'

Sydney hospitals ordered to reduce electricity use amid unfolding energy crisis

Health staff asked to reduce air-conditioning to 20C and avoid using printers

In the middle of winter, NSW households were told to conserve electricity

Advised not to use dishwashers and other appliances to avoid a blackout

National Electricity Market was suspended for first time ever on Wednesday

Instead the Australian Energy Market Operator is controlling the power supply

Australia's energy crisis has deepened, with the National Electricity Market suspended, hospitals ordered to reduce electricity use and millions of people urged not to use basic appliances, despite the freezing winter weather.

Anthony Albanese and energy minister Chris Bowen will hold an emergency meeting with industry and union leaders on Thursday to discuss the growing crisis, which has been likened to the situation in 'third world countries'.

The potential for mass blackouts has increased with about 1800MW of coal-fired power not operating in Queensland and 1200MW of capacity offline in the states of NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania.

The Tomago aluminium smelter in NSW, the country's biggest electricity user, was also forced to cut production to reduce the chance of a blackout.

NSW Treasurer Matt Kean on Wednesday evening begged residents not to run dishwashers until late at night, and Sydney hospital staff were ordered to conserve power in all non-clinical settings.

'This is the result of two-and-a-half decades of policy failures by all sides of politics,' Victorian state Liberal MP Tim Smith said on Wednesday night.

'Like a third world country, we are rationing power in the two first weeks of winter.'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10919303/Australias-energy-crisis-worsens-Anthony-Albanese-hold-emergency-meeting-Thursday.html