Further emergency towers lifted into place in Broken Hill

Battery units installed at AGL's Broken Hill Battery Energy Storage System
Battery units installed at AGL's Broken Hill Battery Energy Storage System

Three more emergency towers have been safely erected and lifted into place and the large grid-scale battery continues charging, the first step in forming a microgrid, as Transgrid escalates its Far West Operations Response following the catastrophic weather event.

A severe storm destroyed seven Transgrid transmission towers on Thursday 17 October, causing significant disruption to the supply of electricity to Broken Hill, Tibooburra, Wilcannia, Menindee, White Cliffs and several other surrounding communities.

The region is primarily relying on Transgrid’s large-scale back-up generator while the company constructs temporary towers which are expected to be in place by 6 November 2024, weather permitting.

Related article: Investigation underway following Broken Hill blackout

More than 120 specialists from around Australia have mobilised to reconstruct the 3.5km section of the storm-damaged transmission line and reinstate the region’s primary power supply.

“We acknowledge the support of the NSW Government, Essential Energy, the community and the many businesses that have mobilised to support this response,” Transgrid head of Far West operations response Sam Pickering said.

Crane erects emergency transmission tower near Broken Hill
Emergency crews erect a second tower near Broken Hill

“I want to especially acknowledge and thank the community for continuing to be mindful of their power usage during peak periods and for continuing to support our efforts here on the ground.”

Transgrid crews are concentrating tower construction efforts in the morning and afternoon periods when wind conditions allow for the safe standing of the 60m-tall steel structures.

“With weather and ground conditions permitting, we will continue to safely put in place the remaining transmission towers so that conductor stringing, testing and energisation can then commence,” Pickering said.

Related article: Transgrid taps Hydrostor for backup power in Broken Hill

AGL’s Broken Hill Battery Energy Storage System is successfully being charged by power from the grid and will be used to increase stability of power supply for local communities while the storm-damaged transmission line is reconstructed.

The grid-scale battery will provide additional power to supplement supply and reduce reliance on the large-scale backup generator.

“This battery is now operating as the first step in forming our microgrid, which will support the backup generator. This means we are continuing to further build resilience into the grid,” Pickering said.

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