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Darwin power cut closes schools and public service offices Darwin at a standstill as power cut closes schools and offices
(about 4 hours later)
A power cut has forced the Northern Territory government to shut down schools and public sector offices across Darwin. Darwin was brought to a standstill by a power cut on Wednesday and was not expected to return to business as usual until the afternoon.
The blackout happened overnight and the government mobilised emergency management protocols. The blackout, which stretched about 320km south-east to Katherine, was caused by a tripped circuit breaker.
No reason has been given for the power failure, but school and public bus networks will not operate on Wednesday. The incident at the Hudson Creek substation at 1.19am local time activated a protection system at the Channel Island power station, shutting down its transmission capacity.
Teaching staff were asked to report to their schools to ensure any children that arrive are properly looked after. The entire city of Darwin, with about 130,000 residents, was affected, along with Palmerston, Pine Creek and Katherine.
“But parents are requested to collect their children if that is possible,” the government said in a statement. Residents suffered through a sweltering night without fans or air-conditioning, while fire and burglar alarms began to wail as a warning that they were not receiving power.
The government is advising NT public servants to remain at home until power is restored. Fridges and stoves stopped working, and most businesses and shops closed. Sirens could be heard on the Stuart Highway as emergency services rushed to help residents in trouble.
Traffic lights in Darwin have also been affected, and motorists are being urged to take extra care. The local hospital is operating as usual. At peak hour on Wednesday morning, traffic lights were out, schools were closed and public buses were not running.
Power and Water Corp reported the breakdown in the early hours of Wednesday morning. It’s believed to be related to a “technical issue” with generators and was expected to last for several hours. The Northern Territory government has mobilised emergency management protocols, and told all non-essential public servants to stay home.
“Power and Water apologises to customers for today’s extended outage,” it said on Twitter. Community health services were closed, but the Royal Darwin Hospital remained fully operational.
The utility is one of the largest businesses in the NT. It provides power, water and sewerage services to more than 85,000 customers. Water and sewage services were being supported by generators where possible, the government advised.
The Mantra Pandanas hotel in Darwin’s CBD evacuated guests at about 1.30am, with about 50 people sitting out the front on the street.
Power & Water Corporation (PWC) said restoration was under way.
Power was restored to Katherine and Pine Creek at about 3am local time, and PWC said some suburbs of Palmerston had power restored about 9am. Four outer Darwin suburbs also regained power, PWC said.
Treasurer Dave Tollner said power should be fully restored by the afternoon.
PWC has a history of power failures, and the government has introduced legislation to move it into three separate government-owned enterprises, with the opposition claiming it is being primed for privatisation.
On Monday, Tollner said an independent report had found the PWC networks were 27% less efficient than those in other states.
The Utilities Commission has proposed a 43% increase in electricity network charges for the Northern Territory, which the government opposes.