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The South Australian Government is not expecting to use the state's new backup diesel power generators despite temperatures well into the mid-40s forcing a tight power supply balance.
The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has issued a level two lack of reserve notice for the state late this afternoon, meaning there is a small buffer of surplus generation available.
A level three notice means unexpected load shedding blackouts are likely.
The power supply situation is even tighter in Victoria — with AEMO flagging the possibility of curtailing power to some industrial customers who have volunteered to be part of a demand management scheme.
SA's hottest temperature so far recorded today was a scorching 47.4 degrees Celsius at Wudinna on Eyre Peninsula.
Port Augusta hit 46.5C, Whyalla reached 46.4C and Lameroo and Tarcoola both had tops of 46C.
SA Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis said while the state's temporary generators were ready, they were unlikely to be used this afternoon.
"In terms of supply we should be okay," he said.
"Victoria I understand is about to load shed industry. So they're not coping with the power supply.
"They are a coal-dependent state and they are having to take industry offline to support their households. In South Australia we're not having to do that today."
In Adelaide today, the mercury climbed to 42.2C just after 12.30pm, after reaching a top of 41C yesterday and 38C on Wednesday.
The heat forced changes to the Tour Down Under, with stage three on Thursday shortened and today's stage four starting an hour earlier.
A community challenge that attracts thousands of amateur cyclists was also cancelled, but it is believed hundreds of riders still cycled the route.
Seven-time challenge rider, Paul Dibbens, will ride up to the finish line to watch the race and said it was the right decision to cancel the challenge.
"The hot weather, it was supposed to be 30 but now it's 41, so I still put the jersey on," he said.
"I've come down to the start, but this time I'll see the pros on this leg but I'll just ride down to the finish to see them come home.
"It's a shorter distance it's probably about 30 kilometres as opposed to 140km."
Slovak sprinter Peter Sagan won today's stage and also claimed the overall leader's ochre jersey.
Earlier, police warned cyclists not to ride along the challenge route as all support facilities that would have been available have been withdrawn.
They said they would be monitoring cyclists and had already received one traffic complaint about 100 cyclists on North East Road, including children, spanning the road.
"Given the extreme heat, I would urge all riders to make sensible choices today — don't put yourself or others at risk," Assistant Commissioner Scott Duval said.
"There is some water available at the planned refreshment stations, but these are not staffed."
State Emergency Service volunteers have handed out water at Adelaide Airport today and provided advice to international visitors to help them cope with extreme temperatures.
Topics: weather, states-and-territories, government-and-politics, electricity-energy-and-utilities, adelaide-5000, sa, australia
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