9400 Coffs customers to be hit by power outage

Coffs Harbour residents are warned to brace for a long winter’s night ahead of a widespread scheduled power shutdown. See who will be affected.

More than 9000 homes and businesses across the Coffs Coast will be without power for five hours overnight on Tuesday - the longest night of the year.

The planned power outage will affect customers in Boambee, Boambee East, Bonville, Coffs Harbour, Crossmaglen, Middle Boambee, North Boambee Valley, North Bonville, Sawtell, Toormina, Upper Orara, Valery and surrounding areas.

Some 9400 addresses will be hit as power affecting Essential Energy’s Boambee and Sawtell Zone Substations is turned off to enable maintenance work.

The shutdown is scheduled to run from 11pm on Tuesday to 4am on Wednesday, coinciding with the winter solstice.

Essential Energy’s operations manager Mid North Coast, Mat Reedy, said the provider had been asked by TransGrid to turn the power off so that safety equipment associated with the transmission electricity network can be upgraded.

TransGrid operates and manages the high voltage electricity transmission network in NSW and the ACT.

“We appreciate that planned power outages can be inconvenient and apologise for any inconvenience as we work with TransGrid to ensure the electricity network remains safe and reliable for everyone,” Mr Reedy said.

Essential Energy’s Boambee and Sawtell Zone Substations will be turned off to enable maintenance work.

After last week telling NSW to restrict electricity usage and turn off their dishwashers in fear of winter blackouts, treasurer Matt Kean said there was now no need to fear.

Mr Kean said he did not expect to have to use emergency powers to force coal providers to direct fuel to energy companies, despite rushing them through in regulation on Thursday night.

“We don’t envisage we will be needing these powers but we’ve got them in our back pocket in the event things change,” he said.

On the Coffs Coast, affected homes and businesses have been notified of the scheduled power outage.

“A high number of customers will be affected as the work is associated with the high voltage transmission network,” Mr Reedy said.

Essential Energy reminds customers who rely on continuous power supply for medical equipment and alarms to make alternative arrangements.

What to do ahead of a planned power outage

* Protect sensitive electrical appliances, such as computers, by switching them off and unplugging them before the planned outage

* If you rely on an electric pumping system for household water supply, be sure to store enough water for your needs while the power is off

* Switch off stove hotplates, ovens, and any other small appliances in case you’re not home when power is restored, and avoid opening your fridge or freezer while the power is off, and;

* There should be no need to turn off solar inverters – they should automatically turn off and back on.