Lightning strikes high voltage lines

30 Jan 2010

Direct lightning strikes this morning took out the high voltage transmission lines that connect Power and Water’s Channel Island and Weddell power stations to the Darwin electricity grid.

Customers in Darwin, Palmerston, Katherine and rural areas experienced outages as a result of this from shortly after 6.30am. Customers in Katherine were restored to power from Katherine Power Station within an hour.

“We have two transmission lines to provide a backup if one is interrupted at any time, such as in the Wet Season when we have extraordinary lightning and storms,” General Manager Power Networks Bertram Birk said.

“The situation we had this morning—where both were struck—is unprecedented in Darwin. You would have more chance of winning the lottery tonight than predicting that this would occur.”

With the loss of both transmission lines, protection systems caused generation to shut down.

“Restoring power to the whole network from this type of event is complex and does take time,” Mr Birk said.

“We have to start small generation plant to reenergise the system, then progressively restore customers.

“This takes time as we test the system and work to restore power safely and securely to as many people as quickly as possible.”

Power came back on in areas of the northern suburbs from 9am to 10am, then Palmerston and rural areas from 11am. As power was restored, some other separate storm-related damage was identified and crews were sent to make repairs.

“We certainly appreciate customers’ patience through this time,” Mr Birk said.

“All available staff were working to restore services as quickly as possible and I thank them for their efforts to overcome the numerous issues encountered during this morning’s work.”

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