Power and Water is reminding people to report any hazards or damage to powerlines as we approach the season where flowering native plants may attract bats, birds and possums as a food source.

“Wildlife can cause interruptions to power supply,” Power and Water Executive General Manager Power Services Djuna Pollard said.

“In some cases, the power outage may be short, but in other cases, there may be longer outages as crews have to patrol the powerlines and restore power safely.”

When these creatures cluster around powerline insulators near their food sources, they can form a bridge from the conductor to the steel cross-arms. This short-circuits the high voltage system, causing the outage.

Ms Pollard also reminded the public not to touch animals on power infrastructure as they are likely deceased.

To reduce the risk of bats causing power outages in some parts of the Territory, Power and Water has installed specially-designed animal covers.

In addition to bats, crews have reported removing snakes and large birds including ospreys, from powerlines.

In central Australia, galahs can create havoc on the power network and for crews.

Power and Water maintain about 7,000 kilometres of overhead lines, more than 3,000km of underground cable and some 37,500 poles and towers across the Territory.

To report hazards or damage to powerlines, people can phone Power and Water on 1800 245 090.

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