Horizon Power has successfully restored power to nearly all customers in Kalumburu following the temporary suspension of operations at the power station on Friday. Eight homes remain without power due to damage within the premises and these may require further electrical work and inspection before re-energisation can take place.
Power supplies in Kalumburu were disconnected to ensure the safety of the town's residents following heavy rain and flooding as a result of the Tropical Low experienced last week.
Heavy rainfall resulted in floodwaters not only inundating houses and businesses, but also reaching the power station itself. Water reached the switch-board, two of the four generation sets and two of the four alternators during this flooding.
As at 4 pm today, power supplies had been restored to both distribution feeders and the switch-board, all generators and alternators were re-energised. Communication, water and sewerage services are now all operational as a result.
Horizon Power General Manager Operations Ziggy Wilk said that while localised flooding in Kalumburu is often experienced, it is very unusual for water to reach the power station.
"The location of the power station is on ground higher than the majority of the town and normally protected from heavy rainfall and flooding," he said.
"Horizon Power has responded immediately to the situation and with the additional support of linecrew from Kununurra, we have been able to restore power supplies much sooner than initially anticipated."
Mr Wilk thanked the Kalumburu community and assured them that Horizon Power would continue to provide assistance until all homes had full power supplies restored.
"The residents in Kalumburu have been extremely supportive during what has been a very difficult period and we cannot thank them enough for this.
"Horizon Power will work with the Department of Housing to ensure any electrical work required within the eight homes still without power is completed quickly and safely."
Horizon Power will continue to monitor flood water levels in the town and linecrew in Kununurra will remain available to return to Kalumburu if required.
Contact Reference: Jennifer Fry - Phone: 0409 083 931
Flooding in Kalumburu update
Release Date: 17-03-2012 7.30pm
Horizon Power has carried out a full inspection of the electricity network in Kalumburu today following the temporarily suspension of operations at the power station yesterday and is working toward restoring power supply to part of the town tomorrow evening.
Power supplies were disconnected to ensure the safety of the town's residents following heavy rain and flooding as a result of the Tropical Low experienced earlier in the week.
Heavy rainfall resulted in floodwaters not only inundating houses and businesses, but also reaching the power station itself. This is extremely unusual as the power station is located on a hill, away from the usual flood area zone. Water yesterday reached the switch-board, two of the four generation sets and two of the four alternators.
Flood waters damage is not as extensive as initial reports suggested and Horizon Power is working to restore power to one feeder tomorrow afternoon by using two of the four generation sets. This will restore power to the majority of residents in the town and all essential services.
Horizon Power will also mobilise four linecrew and two electrical contractors to the town tomorrow who will inspect flood damaged properties and re-energise where safe to do so. Twenty homes are reported to have suffered extensive flood damage and may require additional electrical work to be undertaken within the premise before they can be re-energised. Horizon Power will liaise with the Department of Housing and home owners to facilitate this process where required.
Horizon Power is also implementing a contingency plan, in case of further flooding and any issues that develop when re-energising the power station tomorrow. Temporary generator sets will be mobilised from Darwin tomorrow and will be located at the power station site. The temporary generation sets will also enable the re-energisation of the second feeder in Kalumburu.
Horizon Power will continue to monitor flood water levels in the town.
Contact Reference: Jennifer Fry - Phone: 0409 083 931
Flooding in Kalumburu
Release Date: 17-03-2012
Horizon Power temporarily suspended operation of the power station in Kalumburu at 3.45 pm yesterday to ensure the safety of the community as flood waters resulting from the Tropical Low experienced earlier in the week continued to rise in the town.
Heavy rainfall has resulted in floodwaters not only inundating houses and businesses, but also reaching the power station itself. This is extremely unusual as the power station is located on a hill, away from the usual flood area zone. Water has reached the switch-board, two of the four generation sets and two of the four alternators.
Horizon Power linecrew have returned to Kalumburu this morning to carry out a full inspection of the area and ascertain the extent of the damage. Eight electricians and additional Inspectors are on stand-by to assist with the recovery if required. Temporary generators are also being sourced to provide power in the short-term.
It is expected that full power supplies may take a number of days to restore, with weather reports suggesting water may not recede for another 36 hours. Residents in homes and businesses affected by flooding will also need to arrange for an electrical contractor to inspect their properties to ensure they are safe prior to reconnection. Horizon Power will work with the Department of Housing, and home and business owners, to expedite this process.
Horizon Power is liaising with FESA and the community members to discuss relocation of the town's residents. The elderly and mothers with young children are already being flown out to Kununurra and FESA are on the ground at the moment to discuss a full relocation.
Contact Reference: Jennifer Fry - Phone: 0409 083 931
Power interruption for Kalumburu
Release Date: 16-03-2012
The recent tropical low which affected the Northern Territory and East Kimberley and brought significant rainfall causing flooding in Kalumburu resulted in a number of houses being inundated by water. This presents a significant safety risk to Horizon Power's customers as electricity in water can lead to electrocution.
To ensure public safety, at 5.30 am this morning Horizon Power disconnected power supply in the water affected part of the town, affecting electricity supply to 85 customers.
Linecrews have been mobilised from Kununurra via helicopter to support the Remote Community Utility Worker who is based in Kalumburu in managing the ongoing emergency.
Power supplies to the remaining 50 customers in town have not been impacted as yet, although the flood water levels will continue to be monitored and further disconnections may be required to ensure residents' safety.
Contact Reference: Jennifer Fry - Phone: 0409 083 931