Picture: Transgrid
The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) is investigating Transgrid over a storm’s destruction of seven towers in Far West NSW.
The tribunal says it is not yet clear if there have been licensing breaches but it will consider Transgrid’s management and maintenance of its assets, including the 220kV towers and back-up generators.
“The circumstances of the incident and associated impact to supply to Broken Hill and surrounding areas warrants investigation,” a tribunal statement says.
Transgrid says the large-scale backup generator supplying Broken Hill was taken out of service around 2.30am today (Friday, October 25) as crews worked to replace its fuel forwarding pump.
They were working on restarting on it at 8am, according to Transgrid.
REACTION
Independent MP for Barwon Roy Butler welcome news of the investigation.
“The people of Far West NSW deserve a reliable supply of electricity and a robust back-up system that allows us to recover from natural disasters,” he says.
NSW Premier Chris Minns says he is keen to prevent a repeat of the problem and that government will be working with Mr Butler.
“Our number one priority is to get electricity back and to get the community back on its feet,” he says.
“When this utility was privatised, obligations were placed on it to ensure reliability standards are met in the case of a natural disaster.
“An investigation has commenced to understand what has happened and what further actions can be taken to ensure this doesn’t happen again.”
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Energy Minister Penny Sharpe says it is “crucial” to have public confidence in the energy system.
“We can’t prevent worsening natural disasters that cause power outages, but we want to ensure that standards have been met,” she says.
“Our priority is restoring reliable power supply to the people who live and work in and around Broken Hill, Tibooburra, Wilcannia, Menindee and White Cliffs.”
The state government also declared an electricity supply emergency that will run until November 10.
The declaration empowers the energy minister to act more effectively to address the emergency such as directing equipment and fuel deliveries to the area.
The government says the declaration is a precaution in case more action is needed if the back-up supply is interrupted again.
A severe storm destroyed seven Transgrid transmission towers on Thursday, October 17, causing blackouts in Broken Hill, Tibooburra, Wilcannia, Menindee and White Cliffs.
EARLIER STORY: Storm knocks out towers
Transgrid’s large-scale back-up generator is powering the region while Transgrid builds temporary towers, due to finish by November 6.
Already, the generator tripped on Monday (October 21) although it was since restored.
The government says power could be reduced in selected areas for short periods of time to protect the network (known as load shedding), most likely during the evening peak.
Residents are asked to reduce energy use from 5.30pm to 10.30pm (Australian Central Daylight Time).
Key steps include turning off non-essential appliances, use lights only in occupied rooms and if using air conditioning, consider raising the set point temperature to about 26 degrees and close all blinds, windows and doors.
