The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART), NSW’s electricity network regulator, has launched an investigation into the safety and reliability of transmission infrastructure supplying Broken Hill and surrounding areas.
This follows the collapse of seven transmission towers and recent power outages to the town and surrounding areas.
IPART’s investigation will include Transgrid’s compliance with licence conditions and other obligations under the Electricity Supply Act 1995 and Electricity Supply (Safety and Network Management) Regulation 2014.
The investigation will also consider Transgrid’s management of its assets, including the transmission towers and backup generators and whether the current failures of supply at Broken Hill breach the reliability standards included in its licence.
Licences for the distribution and transmission of electricity are granted by the Minister for Energy and IPART monitors compliance with those licences, which include conditions in relation to the safe and reliable operation of the network.
Enforcement powers in the event of a breach of licence conditions include directing remedial actions, financial penalties of up to $250,000 or cancellation of the licence.
IPART expects Transgrid to fully cooperate with its investigation.
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