The forecast mix tomorrow (Friday 8 December) of catastrophic bushfire risk, thunderstorms and wind gusts up to 100kmh poses significant threats to electricity supply.

The forecast mix tomorrow (Friday 8 December) of catastrophic bushfire risk, thunderstorms and wind gusts up to 100kmh poses significant threats to electricity supply.

“This trifecta of weather conditions is the worst combination possible in terms of the potential for causing outages,” said Paul Roberts, Head of Corporate Affairs.

Catastrophic bushfire conditions are currently forecast by the CFS for eastern Eyre Peninsula, Yorke Peninsula, Mid North, Flinders and the Riverland and extreme conditions are forecast in the Mt Lofty Ranges and Murraylands.

These will be mixed with and followed by forecast lightning strikes and very high winds up to 100kmh in some areas (Weatherzone says ‘Storms bring a chance of heavy rainfall, and destructive winds, and possible tornados’).

“We will be juggling our response between setting the network up to minimise the risk of fire starts and managing outage risk from storm impacts.

“In catastrophic fire conditions, equipment is set to disconnect supply in response to a fault to minimise a potential fire start. During storms we set the network equipment to make several attempts to reconnect power as many faults clear themselves allowing supply to be reconnected safely,” Paul said.

“This means there will be the potential for multiple outages in regional areas for example as a lightning strike will cause an outage when the network is in bushfire setting, whereas the potential for that outcome is reduced when the network is in storm settings.

“Those outages may also be extended in regional and remote areas if crews are stretched by managing safety in severe conditions and responding to the trifecta of weather conditions.”

SA Power Networks is mobilising a range of additional resources including contractors, asset inspectors and volunteer wire watchers to assist local crews in responding to the conditions and cancelling non-critical planned work to free up additional crews.

Members of the public are reminded to keep at least 10 metres clear of downed powerlines and report them to SA Power Networks on 13 13 66.

For latest information on fire conditions, go to South Australian Country Fire Service.