Power supply company Essential Energy says that approximately 1,780 homes and businesses spanning the area from Wilsons Creek, to Crabbes Creek and around to New Brighton, including South Golden Beach, The Pocket, Billinudgel and parts of Ocean Shores and Mullumbimby, were affected by an unplanned power outage this morning just before 8am, following a being fault detected on the electricity network.
Essential Energy Operations Manager Coastal Chris Maccoll said Network protection equipment automatically operated, isolating power supply ensuring customer safety.
‘Crews immediately responded, commencing a patrol of the powerline and power poles to locate the fault. Due to the nature of the fault, an on-the-ground inspection was required which can be a slow process.
‘Our crews are working as quickly as safety will allow and encourage the public to report any concerns they may see to Essential Energy immediately on 13 20 80.’
Electricity supply was resumed at 1.37pm to very happy and relieved customers.
Essential Energy thanks customers for their patience and advises everyone to stay at least eight metres away from fallen or damaged powerlines. Customers can obtain updates at www.essentialenergy.com.au/outages or call 13 20 80.
This has happened several times in the last year in the same area, it also usually has the unhelpful knock on effect of stopping internet and phone services from working- the NBN is still not working in this zone. Would Essential Energy be prepared to elaborate on what the fault actually is? Surely the regulator requires them to have a back up solution.
The area must be running ,or not, on “renewables”.