This storm has had a devastating impact on power supplies to Broken Hill and towns throughout the Far West of NSW, including White Cliffs, Wilcannia and Menindee.
10,000 homes and businesses were initially left without electricity after transmission towers supplying electricity to the region were damaged.
A large-scale back-up generator has restored power to approximately 9,000 homes and businesses with an estimated 1,400 customers around Wilcannia, Menindee and White Cliffs still without power.
It’s expected that constructing temporary towers to restore the transmission line will take a number of weeks.
The NSW Government immediately activated an emergency response and is coordinating assistance across a number of emergency services and government agencies, as well as electricity companies, who are responding to this event:
- Multiple agencies are involved in transporting supplies including generators, fuel pods, cool rooms, lighting towers and Starlinks (satellite connections) to the area.
- The NSW Government is working with Transgrid and Essential Energy to safely manage impacts on communities.
- NSW Police is leading the coordination of support by government agencies and will manage the distribution of fuel supplies.
- RFS is establishing community hubs at RFS Brigade Stations in Menindee, Wilcannia and White Cliffs.
- SES units at Menindee and Wilcannia are open for community members to drop in and charge their devices and are deploying generators to local organisations.
- NSW Health is contacting vulnerable patients in areas impacted. Essential Energy is also making contact with registered Life Support customers who remain without power.
- NSW Telco Authority has deployed a Cell On Wheels and mobile radio assets to Menindee.
- NSW Department of Education has mobilised an Emergency Response Unit that is coordinating the delivery of generators from Sydney to schools in the Far West, with a priority for schools with students sitting the HSC and students with special needs.
- Transgrid and Essential Energy crews have completed their assessment of the damage and are now engineering the repair works and deploying small mobile generators in multiple locations.
- Customers, including Life Support customers, can contact Essential Energy on its outage line on 13 20 80 for support.
Community meetings will continue to take place over the coming days to keep everyone updated on progress and address any concerns.
The NSW Government encourages community members to follow the guidance of emergency service crews and asks travellers to the Far West of NSW avoid this area surrounding Broken Hill, Wilcannia, Menindee and White Cliffs unless absolutely necessary.
For the latest updates from Essential Energy visit: https://www.essentialenergy.com.au/outages-and-faults/Outage-Information-17-Oct-24.
Premier Chris Minns said:
“A serious thunderstorm has impacted thousands of properties across the Far West of NSW.
“While power has been restored to around 9,000 properties, there is still a significant amount of people who do not have electricity.
“The NSW Government has activated an emergency response team working across all emergency services agencies to ensure the community gets access to the essentials they need.
“Contractors are also downing tools on other jobs to respond to this incident and energy providers and government teams are working around the clock to restore power to the region.”
Minister for Energy Penny Sharpe said:
“The NSW Government is working closely with Transgrid and Essential Energy to restore power to homes and businesses in the far west.
“While generators have kicked in for many properties, I encourage those in the affected area to minimise their electricity usage specifically during the evening peak period (5:30pm to 10:30pm Australian Central Daylight Time).
“I encourage you to check in with your friends, family and neighbours and stay up to date with the latest information from NSW emergency services and Essential Energy.”
Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:
“I want to thank volunteers and emergency responders who have moved quickly to supply generators and satellite communications where they are most needed and providing support for community members to drop in and charge devices.”
