South Australia power outages hit thousands

South Australians are facing blackouts that could extend beyond Tuesday after widespread storms wreaked havoc across the state’s major power network.

After wild storms SA Power Networks revealed on Sunday up to 163,000 customers had been affected by power outages. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

Thousands of residents across South Australia are facing blackouts that could extend beyond Tuesday after widespread storms wreaked havoc across the state’s major power network at the weekend.

After wild storms lashed Adelaide Hills and the southern suburbs, SA Power Networks revealed on Sunday up to 163,000 customers had been affected by the outages, with the state recording its largest blackout since 2016.

At 4pm, the company said more than 65,000 customers were still without power as the state’s education department announced more than 50 schools will be closed across Adelaide on Monday because of the ongoing blackouts and remaining storm damage.

The department said further reports of storm damage to schools were only likely to become clear on Monday, noting that alternative arrangements were being made for students sitting their final exams.

With some 65,000 homes and businesses still without electricity, SAPN said on Sunday evening it was possible many would not be reconnected until at least Tuesday, as it encouraged South Australian residents to turn off their solar panels “as a last resort” to stabilise and maintain the energy grid.

“We won’t be able to provide accurate estimates of power restoration times until crews get to the site and make an assessment of the cause and the work needed,” SAPN’s Paul Roberts told reporters.

“This is the largest outage event we have had since the statewide blackout in 2016.”

SAPN said it would be supported by interstate field resources to assist in the reconstruction and recovery effort, with Victorian contractors travelling to help repair fallen power lines and support crews who have been working more than 16-hour shifts.

The Australian Electricity Market Operator confirmed on Sunday morning the state had been disconnected from the National Electricity Market because of a fallen transmission tower, but later said the transmission network remained secure despite the blackouts.

In the last 24 hours, emergency services have fielded more than 1500 calls for help for incidents including downed trees and flash flooding, while SAPN said 420,000 lightning strikes and winds up to 106kph were recorded across multiple areas.