What to do when the power goes out
View our outage map to see current outages and upcoming essential maintenance.
Sometimes, despite our best efforts, you may experience power outages. Outages can be caused by:
- severe weather such as damaging winds, lightning or extreme heat
- birds, possums or other animals on the lines
- motor vehicle incidents
- essential maintenance on the network to ensure the safety of our crews
- excavation of underground cables
- load shedding if directed by the Australian Energy Market Operator.
Whatever the reason, we are committed to restoring your power safely, and as quickly as possible.
Check the cause
Find out if the power is out for others in your area, or just at your property. Enter your address below:
If the power looks like it's on for everyone else, the circuit breaker or safety switch for your property may have tripped. Only report power outages to us if all switches in your meter box or fuse box are in the ON position. If a switch remains in the OFF position, there may be a fault with an appliance or an electrical circuit in the property.
You can also view the causes of High Voltage interruptions.
What to do before an outage
It’s important to prepare for times when the power goes out unexpectedly, or as part of essential maintenance or upgrades. Be prepared for future outages you can help reduce the effects on you, your family, home and business.
- Sign up for outages - this is the only way we can let you know if outages are affecting your property.
- Anyone relying on powered medical equipment, must ensure you have a back-up plan in place. Read more on our Life Support Customers page
- Check that loose items such as outdoor settings, umbrellas and trampolines are safely secured
- If it is safe to do so, check gutters, downpipes and drains are not blocked
- Have a battery-powered radio and monitor your local ABC radio station to keep up with the latest weather conditions and emergency warnings
- Always have a torch with batteries handy.
- Keep your mobile phone, tablet and/or laptop charged. You can power any USB charged device in your car by using a charger or by a portable power bank.
- Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X so that we can keep you updated
- Unplug electronic equipment that may be affected by a power surge or flooding
What to do during an outage
We do everything we can restore power as soon as possible. When we know there is some bad weather on the way, we will plan in a way to ensure we have maximum resources available, including our own field crews and external contractors, so they are available when really needed.
In extreme weather, there may be outages at multiple locations and this means we will need to prioritise our response. We do this using a well-tried list of priorities to ensure we support emergency services, key facilities such as hospitals, and telecommunications, and we then work to restore power to lines where the most customers are affected.
- Wires down: stay at least a bus length (10 metres) away and do not touch or go near fallen or low hanging power lines or equipment, they may still have power which can cause serious injury or death. Report wires down to us immediately on 13 13 66.
- Visit our outage map to check when we expect the power to be back on at your address (if we’re already aware of an outage in your area).
- Don't use lifts. If you get stuck in a lift that has stopped because of a power outage, follow the emergency procedures listed in the lift or via loudspeakers. There is often a telephone or intercom inside the lift for emergencies.
- If driving during a power outage, be aware that street lights and traffic lights may not be working. Take extra care.
- A refrigerator and freezer will keep food cold longer if you keep the door closed. Avoid opening doors to check the contents. For more advice on food safety visit SA Health.
- If your home has an electric hot water system and you keep using it, the water will simply go cold. Once the power is back on, you may need to wait for the off-peak window (normally 11pm – 7am) for your system to reheat. If your system has a ‘boost’ button you can heat your water outside of this window, once power is restored.
- If you use an electric pressure pump, make sure that all taps are turned off. This will prevent flooding if power is restored when you are not home.
- Have a back up plan for any pets relying on power (such as tropical fish) to ensure their needs are met.
- Consider UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) for fish tanks and similar equipment.
What to do after an outage
- Check your home and property for damage
- Be aware of road hazards such as floodwater, debris and damaged roads, buildings or bridges
- Do not drive through affected areas unless it is necessary
- If you have experienced ongoing or extended power outages, you may be eligible for a guaranteed service level payment. You don’t need to apply for the payment. The guaranteed service level payment amount will be automatically credited to your retailer (if you are the account holder on 30 June) and reflected in the next electricity account after 9 September.
- You can find the ESCoSA fact sheet on GSLs: ESCoSA_GSL Scheme Fact Sheet