A NSW Government website

Electricity disruption and power outages: Broken Hill and Far West NSW

Latest update for Broken Hill, Menindee, Tibooburra, White Cliffs, Wilcannia and surrounding communities: Friday 1 November 2024 7:00 am (ACDT)

  • Power supply to Far West NSW was restored to the main NSW electricity system overnight. No further outages or disruptions related to this event are expected.

  • Broken Hill did not experience any outage during the transfer.

  • Communities outside of Broken Hill experienced a brief outage while Essential Energy reconnected the Pinnacles Place Zone Substation to the main NSW electricity system.

  • You can now turn on your solar if it is safe to do so. If you need support, please call Essential Energy on 13 20 80.

  • The Recovery Assistance Point will reopen from Tuesday 5 November to Thursday 7 November in Broken Hill. Find more about the support available to the community, including mental health, funding and food relief support.

How we’re supporting the community

We’re offering financial assistance and immediate help to impacted residents and small-to-medium sized businesses in Far West NSW.

About the electricity disruption and power outages

What happened

A severe storm destroyed 7 Transgrid transmission towers in Far West NSW on Thursday 17 October. This caused significant disruption to the supply of electricity to Broken Hill and surrounding communities including Tibooburra, Wilcannia, Menindee, White Cliffs, Milparinka, Packsaddle and Silverton. 

The response

We immediately activated an emergency response. We have been working closely with emergency services, government agencies and electricity companies to keep the community connected in the short term while the issue were being fixed as quickly as possible.  

During this time the communities were powered by a network of generators. 

There were some planned and unplanned outages that impacted residents and businesses. This was primarily to maintain the large-scale backup generator's performance and practice load sharing to ensure the grid remained stable. 

Additional generators have been installed to help keep the lights on. Transgrid also connected the AGL Battery Energy Storage System to help maintain electricity supply in Broken Hill.

Crews worked around the clock to construct replacement towers and restore the transmission line. All 7 transmission towers have been replaced and power supply to Far West NSW has been restored to the main NSW electricity system. This occurred overnight on Thursday 31 October, ahead of schedule. 

Next steps 

No further outages or disruptions related to this event are expected. If you need support you can contact Essential Energy on 13 20 80 or visit their website for more information. 

Transgrid has committed to keeping additional generators in Broken Hill until both of its large-scale back-up generators are able to ensure the uninterrupted supply of electricity.

We’re working closely with the NSW Reconstruction Authority to support the community through this challenging time. Learn more about the support available.

What to do before, during and after a power outage

Find information about how to prepare for, what to do during and what to consider after an outage. Please note no further outages or disruptions related to this event are expected.

Before

It’s important to have an emergency kit prepared and make sure everyone knows where it is. If you don’t have an emergency kit, use the time while the power is restored to put one together. A kit can include:    

  • Any emergency or health equipment you may need.
  • LED torches, remember to check the batteries and have spares available.
  • A list of emergency and important phone numbers.  
  • A car charger for your mobile phone and other USB devices. Be sure to run the vehicle outside in the shade with good ventilation to avoid exhaust fumes building up in and around your home.
  • Cash, which can be used during prolonged outages in case electronic payment systems at local shops are down.
  • Provide your mobile to your electricity retailer to get SMS alerts with the latest updates. Your retailer is the company that sends you your energy bill.  
During

Follow these tips to stay safe, cool and informed during an outage. 

Stay safe

  • Always follow the advice and instructions of emergency services and call Triple Zero (000) immediately in life-threatening or emergency situations. Be aware that there may be impacts on the telecommunications networks in the area during this time.
  • Stay at least 8 metres away from any fallen or exposed wires and immediately report electrical hazards to Essential Energy on 13 10 03.
  • Always use your home appliances for their intended purposes and follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions. This is especially important for appliances designed to be used outdoors and produce toxic gases that can cause injury or death if they build up inside. These include:
    • external or portable generators
    • woodfired, gas and charcoal barbeques or heaters.
  • Do not attempt to rewire your house to incorporate any external power generation sources, such as a battery or external or portable generator.
  • Follow the NSW Food Authority’s advice on food safety during and after a power outage. Try to keep food safe by avoiding opening the fridge and freezer. A closed fridge can keep food cold for up to 4 hours and a closed freezer can stay cold for 24 hours. Do not eat any food that may have spoiled.
  • Turn off and unplug any sensitive appliances such as TVs, computers and Wi-Fi routers, to prevent damage when power is restored.
  • Offer assistance to neighbours where possible and if safe to do so. 

Stay cool in hot temperatures

Always follow the guidance from NSW Health to keep yourself and those around you safe in hot temperatures, these include:

  • Drink water to stay hydrated.
  • Avoid being outdoors during the hottest part of the day as much as possible. If you must go outside, seek shade or shelter and wear appropriate sun protection.
  • Limit physical activity, for example, household chores or exercise, to early morning when it is coolest.
  • Wear appropriate clothing that is:
    • lightweight
    • light-coloured or white
    • loose-fitting.
  • Close curtains and blinds to block out the sun.
  • Spend time in the coolest area of your home.
  • Wet your skin with cool water using a spray bottle or a damp sponge or cloth.
  • Take cool showers or baths or sit for a while with your feet in cool water.
  • When it becomes cooler outside, open your windows and doors to allow warm air out and let the cool air in.
  • If you have them, place cool packs or crushed ice in a damp towel loosely over your neck and shoulders. 

Stay updated with the latest information

For more information on power restoration in Far West NSW and Broken Hill regions, continue to visit this page or the Essential Energy website. You can also call Essential Energy on 13 20 80 for support. You should also:

  • Keep a list of important phone numbers nearby to contact to receive and give updates.
  • If you can, keep your phone charged. Use your car to recharge phones and USB devices. Ensure the vehicle is in a well-ventilated area and in a shaded area when running the engine.
  • Leave one light switched on so you will know as soon as the power is restored.
  • Monitor the latest updates on social media and this webpage and keep in touch with your neighbours. 
After
  • Inspect your home once the power returns to check for any risks or issues caused by the outage. If you find any risks or issues do not attempt to repair them, contact Essential Energy immediately on 13 20 80.
  • If there are non-urgent ongoing electrical problems, contact your electricity provider (the company that sends you your electricity bill) for assistance.