Umina power blackout on 43 degree day

About 1700 homes in Umina suffered a power blackout in 36 degree heat on the afternoon of New Year's Eve.

The temperature at Woy Woy had reached a maximum of 43 degrees at 2.20pm, according to the Bureau of Meteorology, and just an hour later 1704 homes lost power which was not restored until 5.30pm.

Peninsula Village aged care facility, in the middle of the blackout zone, was also affected, but their high-capacity generator kicked in almost immediately.

Village chief executive Mr Shane Neaves said the nurse call system was inoperable for a short time but staff coped well with the situation.

Ausgrid said that the power outage in the Ausgrid Ettalong-Woy Woy zone happened when a panel at Umina had "tripped", caused by a faulty underground cable.

The Ausgrid statement said: "This happens from time to time and mostly because of normal wear and tear."

Due to the configuration of the local network some areas on the Peninsula were still able to be supplied from other parts of our network, the statement said.

According to Ausgrid, load shedding or power rationing was not a factor in the blackout.

SOURCE

Media statement, 15 Jan 2020

Jonathon Hall, Ausgrid

Interview (Sue Murray) 16 Jan 2020

Shane Neaves, Peninsula Village