Western Power crews will be on stand-by when essential planned maintenance on Kalgoorlie-Boulder’s backup generator is undertaken this week.
In October this year, Western Power renewed the alternative generation supply arrangement at West Kalgoorlie Terminal with Synergy via two gas turbine generators.
The generation can be used as a backup power supply for unplanned outages on Western Power’s 220kV network.
Synergy is undertaking essential work on one of the generators from today until 24 November including preventative and corrective maintenance to improve its reliability for the community and industry.
Western Power Executive Manager of Asset Management Gair Landsborough said while this essential generator maintenance work was underway, the risk remained of a fault occurring on the network which could result in a power outage.
“We work closely with Synergy to ensure we’re well prepared to manage any unforeseen issues or faults on the main feeder line that could result in an outage,” Mr Landsborough said.
“While we don’t anticipate any issues on the network, we’re prepared so we can respond effectively in the event there is one, as the potential outage length and impacts are larger without the back-up generators.
“In the event of a fault or an issue, local crews in the Kalgoorlie-Boulder area are ready to respond and specialist crews will be on standby ready to be deployed, if necessary,” he said.
“It is important for people to be prepared should any potential outage likely have an impact on them – such as making sure medical equipment, computers and phone batteries are charged,” Mr Landsborough said.
“During unplanned outages, we communicate with impacted customers and stakeholders via SMS, and, depending on the length of the outage, customers impacted and estimated restoration times, can use other options including radio.”
In August, similar work was undertaken with no impact to customers.