Ausgrid is exploring options to improve reliability to the West Pittwater and Scotland Island areas as a result of two major outages involving the submarine cables which supply these areas. In addition to these two major outages, reliability has been compromised by storms and vegetation impacting the overhead network. Since 2015, there have been a total of seven outages on Scotland Island and West Pittwater that were caused by issues unrelated to the submarine cables. In addition to the comprehensive solution being developed, Ausgrid is also implementing operational improvements to reduce the duration and impact of future outages for residents.
Ausgrid has already implemented a range of measures to improve the reliability of the power supply, and are continuing to investigate longer term solutions.
Short term improvements
You may have noticed Ausgrid staff undertaking work in your area in recent months. This work is ongoing and contributes to long term reliability together with the more comprehensive solutions discussed above. Improvements include:
As Ausgrid continues to develop this project, there are a number of factors being considered consider, including:
West Pittwater
The linear nature of the network on West Pittwater means there is no traditional ‘poles and wires’ solution that can address all the types of outages faced in the area. As such, Ausgrid is proposing to install a hybrid solution to address the various types of network outages being experienced.
Details of the final solution are still to be determined and relies on more detailed information from individual households and consultation with market experts. However, based on preliminary consultation this hybrid solution will most likely be a combination of technologies such as household batteries and solar, plus a hybrid community generator. Ausgrid will be seeking expert market input in early 2018.
Home Energy Audits
Ausgrid has undertaken individual household energy audits of many properties on West Pittwater to gain detailed energy consumption data, and identify opportunities to reduce impacts in the event of an outage. These audits will ran from Monday, 8th January until Saturday 3 February 2018.
Download West Pittwater Home Energy Report
West Pittwater Home Energy Report June 2018 (1679 KB)
Under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, Ausgrid is the determining authority for this project. An environmental assessment will be prepared on the works in accordance with Part 5 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and Clause 228 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000.
Ausgrid will continue to update and engage both communities and stakeholders as we implement immediate improvements and continue to develop the proposed long-term reliability solutions.
December 2017
Further investigations into West Pittwater solution and development of energy market brief
Now – mid 2018
Design and approval of the new underground cable for Scotland Island
Now and 2018
Implementation of short term measures in both areas
January 2018
Home Energy Audits West Pittwater
Mid 2018
Construction to commence for Scotland Island cable
End 2018
Developed design for West Pittwater solution
Ausgrid - West Pittwater Reliability Project Website
Ausgrid Reliability Project Dec 2017. (534 KB)
Ausgrid Update and Survey Letter March 2017 (207 KB)
West Pittwater & Scotland Island Community Feedback Summary Report June 2017 (774 KB)
Ausgrid Community Newsletter March 2016 (313 KB)
West Pittwater Home Energy Report June 2018 (1679 KB)