National energy regulator launches investigation into Transgrid after Broken Hill blackouts

Transgrid is “co-operating” with inquiries launched into whether it breached national electricity rules, after workers accused the energy operator of “gambling” with its assets in Broken Hill.

Transgrid is facing a new probe into whether it has breached its obligations under laws governing the national energy market, after workers accused the energy giant of “gambling” with its assets in Broken Hill.

The Daily Telegraph understands that the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has now launched an investigation into Transgrid after severe storms destroyed transmission towers and a back-up generator catastrophically failed, leaving the regional city no power for ten days.

Transgrid could be liable for fines of up to $11 million if it has breached national electricity rules.

The AER investigation comes after the NSW regulator launched its own probe into whether Transgrid breached reliability standards.

Transgrid on Monday finished installing seven “temporary” transmission towers to service Broken Hill.

Workers are trying to restore power to Broken Hill after a violent storm has left the town without electricity for days. Picture: Supplied/Transgrid

A solar-powered battery has also been plugged into a “microgrid” to help ease the load on generators during the evening peak.

“The gas generator, which is still the main source of energy for Broken Hill, is also running well backed up now by that grid scale battery,” Transgrid Head of Far West Operations Response Sam Pickering said.

Workers are trying to restore power to Broken Hill after a violent storm has left the town without electricity for days. Picture: Supplied/Transgrid

Mr Pickering said the next priority would be to get the seven emergency transmission towers operational.

It comes after Transgrid workers accused the company of “running the gauntlet” with its assets in Broken Hill.

A leaked maintenance log obtained by The Saturday Telegraph outlined a series of “forced” generator outages in the company’s gas turbine generators since 2023.

The Electrical Trades Union (ETU) claimed a contractor hired by Transgrid two years ago spoke of being able to “push a finger through” one of the rusted transmission towers, which last week fell over in a storm.

Jay Meiers from Broken Hill, had problems with her oxygen machine after a storm that destroyed Transgrid power infrastructure outside Broken Hill. Picture: Richard Dobson

The union also accused Transgrid of spending money on transmission lines to connect renewables at the expense of maintaining its existing assets.

The AER has the power to investigate and take action against energy companies for potential breaches of energy rules.

Breaches which impact supply security and reliability, or lead to consumer harm, attract the highest potential penalties.

In a statement, a Transgrid spokesman said the company is “fully co-operating” with the joint investigations.