General News
13 December, 2024
AusNet puts $60m into summer prep
Power distributor AusNet has spent almost $60 million in the past 12 months preparing its network for summer.
AusNet executive general manager of distribution Andrew Linnie said vegetation management and maintenance was carried out ahead of potential severe weather events.
“This year across the AusNet network our asset inspectors, who assess AusNet’s infrastructure to ensure it’s safe, inspected over 117,744 poles," Mr Linnie said.
"This work resulted in the identification and completion of 9495 maintenance jobs."
Mr Linnie said the company's vegetation team assessed 322,066 spans between pairs of poles.
As a result, work that was undertaken on 69,250 spans.
“This work's essential to help keep the network and the community safe,” Mr Linnie.he said.
AusNet shared details of its preparatory programs following the issuing last week of a warning by Emergency Management Victoria (EMV) last week urging the community to prepare for higher temperatures and an increase in fire activity across the state this summer.
A lack of rainfall had resulted in an increased chance of fires across most of western Victoria, according to EMV.
“Summer's a particularly challenging time for electricity customers," Mr Linnie said.
"On top of the bushfire risk, summer often brings with it intense thunderstorms that can damage infrastructure."
To help customers to be power prepared, AusNet has posted a series of tips on its website, www.ausnetservices.com.au/powerprepared.
AusNet’s electricity distribution network covers 80,000 square kilometres, consisting of 45,985km of overhead powerlines, 7908lm of underground cables, 438,661 power poles and 106,000 streetlights.