Undergrounding of power supply project receives budget boost.

Power and Water welcomed the news today (2 May 2008) that the NT Government will provide an additional $13.6 million in the next two years to boost undergrounding of power supply works in Darwin’s northern suburbs.

The funding will enable Power and Water to accelerate the underground program to complete Rapid Creek and Millner by the end of 2009.

The installation of underground power has many advantages especially in a tropical environment, which makes the network subject to a number of natural elements: physical damage from cyclones, supply interruption caused by lightning strikes and prolific vegetation growth requiring significant investment in tree trimming near overhead power lines.

Newer suburbs developed with underground power and properties that have already had their power supply put underground within this program,  have on average, a quarter of the interruptions to supply than areas with overhead lines.

Undergrounding of powerlines protects the power network making it less vulnerable to cyclones and damage by overhanging trees. From experience with Cyclone Tracy, a category 4 cyclone, 90% of the overhead distribution system was completely destroyed resulting in power outages for months. In early 2008, almost without exception, damage caused by cyclone Helen was due to trees falling on power lines and power poles.

By fast tracking the completion of the underground project the risk and extent of damage to the overhead system diminishes each year as more of this system is placed underground. Nightcliff for example has experienced 60% less interruptions and an 80% reduction in the duration of interruptions since undergrounding.