Extreme Heat in Central Australia: A Battle Between Electricity and Food
In the scorching heat of central Australia, Vanessa Napaltjari Davis and her grandchildren are facing a challenging dilemma. With temperatures soaring above average in the southern half of the Northern Territory, their two-bedroom home has become a sauna, and their electricity bill has skyrocketed. The single air-conditioner struggles to keep up, and the power supply is often interrupted, leaving them in the dark and without refrigeration.
Davis, an Arrernte and Luritja woman, lives in Nyewente, one of 18 town camps surrounding Alice Springs. Her home, like many others in these camps, is state-owned and in dire need of renovation. However, the installation of a prepaid electricity smart meter a few years ago has made it even more difficult to keep the lights on.
During normal weather, Davis spends $70 a week on electricity, which usually lasts until her next paycheck. But with the extreme heat, her electricity bill has skyrocketed, and the $70 only covers a few days. The Northern Territory has experienced its 10th hottest January on record, and the climate crisis is expected to bring even more intense heatwaves.
The situation is dire for Aboriginal people in the region, with more than 65,000 relying on prepaid electricity in the NT, South Australia, Western Australia, and Queensland. These households face an average of 49 disconnections annually due to unaffordable bills, according to a 2025 study by the First Nations energy justice organization Original Power.
As the sole provider for her family, Davis often faces a heart-wrenching choice: electricity or food. She explains, "What’s more important, the electricity or food? But to us, they are both important. We need the electricity to keep the fridge cool for the food to be stored in. If we don’t keep the electricity on, the food goes bad, and many have to wait until their next payday to buy more."
Her power costs reflect the struggle. From winter to summer, her bills have increased. In June, July, and August, she paid $1331.12, while in September, October, and November, she paid $920.64. For December and January, she has already spent $663.97 and faced power disconnections more than four times each month due to insufficient funds.
Jacana Energy, the energy retailer responsible for the Northern Territory, explains that electricity prices are regulated and subsidized by the government. They acknowledge that extreme temperatures lead to higher electricity consumption, which can deplete prepaid credit faster. However, they assure that the tariff remains unchanged.
The impact of extreme heat on health is also a concern. Dr. Simon Quilty, a physician in the Northern Territory, notes a significant increase in hospital admissions during hot months due to poor housing conditions. He emphasizes that heatwaves have a devastating impact on people's well-being in the Territory.
Original Power's study highlights the urgency of the situation, recommending a ban on disconnecting power when temperatures reach 40°C or higher. However, the government's response has been slow, with a proposal to trial a ban on disconnections when temperatures exceed 40°C.
Lauren Mellor, co-director of Original Power's clean energy communities program, urges governments to take immediate action. She states, "Poor housing quality and the reliance on box air-conditioners in many First Nations communities force families to spend more to maintain safe temperatures. Prepayment customers already face precarious energy access, so governments and retailers must offer protection from disconnections on dangerously hot days."
The federal government remains committed to addressing energy poverty in remote areas and supporting the clean energy transition. They appreciate Original Power's work on the Right to Power report and plan to collaborate with them and other stakeholders to improve outcomes for remote communities.
In the meantime, the Northern Territory government is educating customers on power-saving tips and running campaigns to prevent disconnections. They are also organizing pop-up stalls in remote communities to provide information on government-run concession schemes and power-saving tips.
Despite the challenges, the prepaid meter system offers benefits like cultural mobility and direct control over energy use. However, the complex issues require collaboration between governments, regulators, and communities to find lasting solutions.
