Electricity network operator Transgrid has defended its management of failed generators which left around 20,000 people in the NSW far west without reliable power.
Mines are the main employer in Broken Hill but hundreds of staff are out of work until the region is reconnected to the grid.A storm on October 17 brought down seven supporting transmission towers leaving 20,000 people in Broken Hill and its surrounds without power.
Transgrid has a responsibility to provide back-up power if the lines go down but Broken Hill Mayor Tom Kennedy alleges the generators weren't adequately maintained."Once that was put under load, that also tripped out and we were in a situation where some people in town were without power for 48 hours, others just over 24 hours.Transgrid Executive General Manager of Network Marie Jordan denied that was the case.
"We found problems with it that would create a huge safety event while it was running," she told 7.30.Ms Jordan said Transgrid bought the second generator from Essential Energy in 2022 and suggested it may not have been properly maintained. An Essential Energy spokesperson told 7.30 that "Transgrid undertook technical due diligence before purchasing the generators to understand the condition the generators were in".The Australian Energy Regulator and the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal are both investigating Transgrid to determine whether the company breached its obligations or license requirements.
While the region is expected to be reconnected to the grid as early as this weekend, it's anticipated the IPART investigation and report will be completed in six weeks.While restoration works continue, the mines that drive Broken Hill's economy remain shut, with 600 workers stood down."I've been told that I'll be stood down for probably five weeks, to be prepared for that," he said.
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