A late heatwave will test NSW’s strained electricity grid – and Perrottet can’t afford any hint of disruption

The Coalition can ill afford any hint of electricity disruptions to remind voters – much like the rolling risks for Sydney trains – that key infrastructure remains fragile. Photograph: Dan Himbrechts/AAP

Later this week, another late-season heatwave will sear New South Wales, potentially setting record electricity demand in March for the second time in less than a fortnight.

For many people, the warmth will be welcome after years of relatively wet seasons and Sydney’s coolest summer for maximum temperatures in 11 years.