Pittwater: Remote communities relying on giant generators after power cable damaged

Remote communities are relying on a temporary solution after an underwater power cable was damaged.

In a complex military-style operation power provider Ausgrid trucked in two giant portable generator to provide power to communities on the western side of Pittwater after an underwater cable failed. Picture: Ausgrid

Electricity was cut to some of the most remote communities on the northern beaches after a vital underwater cable was damaged.

The cable under Pittwater won’t be fixed for weeks.

But a complex military-style operation involving emergency Ausgrid repair teams meant 170 customers living on the western side of Pittwater — on one of the most inaccessible sections of Sydney’s electricity network — only had to go without power for about 24 hours.

Ausgrid had to detect the problem with an underwater cable supplying power to remote Pittwater communities. Picture: Ausgrid

The electricity provider was able to truck in two giant portable generators, now sitting at The Basin campground, to restore power supply to customers until the fault is repaired.

The fault cut power to 50 customers in Coasters Retreat and The Basin, but another 120 at Currawong Park and Great Mackerel Beach had to be switched off so repair crews could work safely.

Ausgrid’s Chief Customer Officer Rob Amphlett Lewis said locating the problem with supply, which cut out on November 3, was tricky.

Ausgrid delivering one of two giant portable generators to The Basin campground. Picture: Ausgrid

“This site was very challenging for our technicians because it was only accessible by boat,” Mr Amphlett Lewis said.

“Thanks to co-operation between multiple teams we were able to locate the damage on a

section of cable (running between Currawong Beach and Coasters Retreat) about 60m offshore from Currawong Beach.

“Our network covers all kinds of terrain and this job illustrates the lengths our crews go to every day to help restore power for our customers.”

Ausgrid arranged for two generators to be delivered to The Basin campground to restore

Ausgrid substation technician Michael Griffin said the large portable generators had to be brought in via The Basin Trail, a dirt track.

The Basin campground in Pittwater. Picture: John Fotiadis

“Our biggest challenge was the steep access and very tight turns which passed close to the

rockfaces in the national park,” Mr Griffin said.

At times it was a bit hair-raising as the truck took up the entire road and there was no guard

rail and the edges drop off quite sharply.

“We stayed in close communication with the drivers to ensure there was no damage, including

to nearby Aboriginal rock carvings”, he said.

Permanent repairs to the submarine cable are expected to take several weeks.