Broken Hill’s Power Grid Restored After Major Storm Damage

Following a severe weather event on October 17, Transgrid has successfully installed all seven emergency response towers in Broken Hill, setting the stage for a full power restoration in the far-west region. Crews have been working tirelessly to repair the 3.5 km transmission line damaged by the storm, aiming to restore the primary power supply as quickly as possible.

More than 120 specialists have worked in shifts around the clock, utilizing six cranes, eleven elevated work platforms, and two excavators to install seven 60-meter high-voltage towers. The next phase involves stringing three conductors onto each tower, followed by testing at both ends of the 250 km line to re-energize the main supply.

As Transgrid pushes to complete the repairs, additional backup power solutions have been set up to stabilize the local grid. On October 27, a grid-scale battery, charged by a mix of large-scale generation and excess rooftop solar, began dispatching power to support evening peak demand, reinforcing power stability in Broken Hill.

“This is a positive step in building resilience into the network,” says Sam Pickering, Transgrid Head of Far West Operations Response. This initiative marks Australia’s first microgrid operating within the National Electricity Market, providing a vital backup to support Broken Hill’s energy needs during repairs.

As Transgrid crews perform this challenging emergency work, strict safety zones have been established. “We ask everyone to respect the exclusion zones to ensure the safety of our team and to expedite the restoration of the permanent power supply,” Pickering stated.

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