Melbourne blackouts: system buckled under ‘intense’ demand

DESPITE Victorians being slugged hundreds of dollars a year in fees to maintain the network, the system buckled under “intense” demand for power during the weekend’s sweltering conditions.

BLACKOUTS plagued more than 60,000 homes statewide at the weekend despite Victorians being slugged hundreds of dollars a year in fees to maintain the electricity network.

The average household will pay from $404 to $673 in tariffs for poles and wires this year, a sum that can account for 20 to 40 per cent of a retail bill.

The charges are levied to pay for network maintenance and to ensure “a safe and reliable electricity supply”.

But amid “intense” demand for power at the weekend, the system buckled. Distributors blamed the blackouts on “localised fuse faults”.

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The sun sets behind powerlines in the west of Melbourne. Picture: Mark Stewart

Premier Daniel Andrews said on Monday that his government would consider whether it needed to compel distributors to upgrade the network.

“The distribution companies are required to maintain and improve the network, and they have been charging customers handsomely to do that,” Mr Andrews said.

More than 2000 customers were still without power about 6pm on Monday.

United Energy’s website and phone lines crashed as people tried to find out when they would be reconnected.

Premier Daniel Andrews said distribution companies are required to maintain and improve the network. Picture: Josie Hayden

The distributor’s general manager, Ross Musgrove, said above-normal demand had driven fuse failures. Network improvements could be carried out, if an investigation recommended it, but he could not guarantee blackouts would not recur.

“I can’t give assurances that we won’t get interruptions to supply — lots of things can cause interruptions … (such as) a car into a pole. I can give assurances that whatever comes out of this investigation, we will put into place,” he said.

The government denied power supply shortages had caused the blackouts.

But Opposition Leader Matthew Guy said the government must take responsibility and do more to ensure Victorians were not left without power.

“It is the government’s job to keep the lights on,” he said.

Customers deprived of power for more than 12 hours might be eligible for compensation of $80 to $360, depending on how long their power was out.

Blackburn South’s Brian Everitt, 87, and his wife were among thousands “left in the dark” when their power went about 6pm on Sunday.

“We couldn’t sleep because it was so hot,” he said. “Right now we’re just sitting here waiting … this heat is not good for us.

“We’ve got a fridge and freezer full of food that we’ll have to throw out.”

John Petrovich, from Aspendale, sweltered through a sleepless night with his 16-week-old baby.

“We were up all night giving our daughter baths and cold compresses to try and cool her down. She was really struggling,” he said.

He would “absolutely” seek compensation, but was not hopeful of getting it.

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@moniquehore