Australian government urged to set highest power prices for night-time

Suggested closure of Alcoa's Portland facility could lead to major electricity demand decreases

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The government in Australia has been urged to place the highest energy priced at night-time in order to lower demand and support the nation's energy supplies, reports The Sydney Morning Herald.

According to a report from the Victorian Energy Policy Centre, regulations should be put in place to hallow households to pay peak prices between 6 p.m and 9 p.m, which would reduce demand when power consumption is high during the evening.

The study adds that if Alcoa's Portland smelter were to cease operating, it could fasten the downfall of coal-fueled generators in the Latrobe Valley by the end of the next decade.

The site's proposed closure could accelerate the shutting of brown coal facilities in the region, as there would be a major decline in electricity demand.

The suggested closure of Alcoa would not affect brown coal production until about 2027, depending on whether the areas transmission infrastructures were developed.