Almost 100 homes in Nowra are without power, as the mercury climbs past 40 degrees.
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The Endeavour Energy website is reporting 99 homes near the Nowra CBD are without power.
Crews have been dispatched to the city, where temperature is a stifling 42.6 degrees.
At this stage it is not known whether the outage is linked to the heatwave.
But Illawarra residents could find themselves without power this afternoon as a result of the expected heatwave.
Over the coming days, the temperature is expected to climb into the 30s – reaching as high as 36 degrees in Wollongong and 39 degrees in Albion Park on Saturday.
There are concerns over whether the electricity network across the state will be able to cope with the increased demand from people running airconditioners and fans.
State Minister for Energy and Utilities Don Harwin said the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) informed him the networks would be able to cope over the weekend.
However, there was a two-hour window on Friday afternoon where demand for power in NSW will hit a record high.
Between 4.30pm and 6.30pm, the AEMO said electricity demand to reach around 14,700 megawatts.
“The NSW government is doing everything we can to ensure a power outage is avoided but we encourage the community to reduce their energy use where possible,” Mr Harwin said.
“Where you can please do your best to save energy – turn up your air con to 26 degrees, adjust fridge temperatures, switch off unused electrical appliances and turn off lights where it’s safe to do so.”
However, Mr Harwin said load shedding – where power is switched off to some areas – was a possibility “to manage peak demand”.
“The government is taking additional steps to reduce peak demand, including in government operations,” Mr Harwin said.
Total fire ban issued
A total fire ban will be in force across all of NSW for Saturday and Sunday, due to worsening weather conditions.
The latest forecast from the Bureau of Meteorology confirms fire weather conditions will continue to deteriorate across Saturday and Sunday.
NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said a broader area is now expected to experience Catastrophic fire danger conditions.
“The heatwave conditions will strengthen over the weekend, with many areas experiencing temperatures of around 45 degrees,” Commissioner Fitzsimmons said.
“This will be coupled with strong and gusty winds, and low humidity.
“We are likely to see broad areas under Severe and Extreme fire danger ratings.
“On Sunday, Catastrophic conditions will extend from the Central West, across the tablelands to the Hunter region and out to the coast.
“These conditions are dangerous, and any fire that starts will be extremely difficult to control.
“Do not be in bush fire prone areas during Catastrophic conditions.
“Discuss with your family and use the time now to decide what you’ll do. Do not leave decisions until the last minute.”
During a total fire ban, no fires may be lit in the open and all fire permits are suspended.
Gas and electric barbeques may be used provided certain conditions are met.
Lighting a fire on a day of Total Fire Ban attracts an on the spot fine of $2200.
The penalty for tossing a lit cigarette doubles during a Total Fire Ban from $660 to $1320.
You can report people who throw lit cigarettes from a vehicle by going to the RFS website or calling the Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737.
Total Fire Ban rules and a map of current Total Fire Ban areas are at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au.
Travel warning
Emergency Services Minister Troy Grant said urged people who had planned to visit national parks or forested areas in the coming three days to change their plans, and for motorists to avoid using back roads.
"Weather conditions will gradually get worse from today through to Sunday. The most catastrophic likely weather will be centred around the Hunter, and will run from east to west right through to the central west of NSW," he said.
"If you have activities or trips planned to national parks, to forest or areas that are prone to potential fire, we ask you to change your plans and reconsider your movements.
"Take care when you are travelling throughout the state to use main roads in preference to back roads."
NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said NSW was in for a "very difficult next three days", with the worst conditions expected on Sunday.
"Catastrophic fire danger ratings are the worst conditions that we can experience when it comes to fire danger ratings. Typically that's where we see the worst of fire behaviour, the most aggressive and rapid spread of fire," he said.
"Under those sorts of conditions, it is unlikely, unless we are there very quickly and very early, that fires that take hold, we simply won't be able to suppress. Our focus turns very much to the saving of life, the saving of property and getting as many messages and warnings out as we can in light of the conditions."
He said firefighters had access to an additional two large air tankers, which would be positioned strategically around the state to respond to any blazes.
Hospitals, homeless
As Sydney and other centres toil through another heatwave, the number of heat-related emergencies is on the increase at the state's hospitals, NSW Health said.
The St Vincent de Paul Society, meanwhile, said people on low incomes and the homeless were particularly vulnerable during period of extreme heat.
"During these incredible periods of hot weather there are more casualties than any other disaster or emergency. Dehydration, exhaustion and strokes can directly and indirectly result in death," Jack de Groot, the society's chief executive, said.
"The sad reality is that low income earners have the highest energy costs because their homes are poorly insulated, and their fans are the cheapest to buy but are electricity guzzlers," he added.
Authorities have recommended people head to shopping centres, RSL clubs and other public places with air-conditioning if they can't stay cool at home.
Saturday's sports fields, meanwhile, will be quieter than usual as schools and other competitions cancelling matches.
With Kate Aubusson