In a stark assessment of the damage wrought by Cyclone Alfred, Energex, the poles-and-wires company serving south-east Queensland, described the storm’s impact in blunt terms. The cyclone “hammered” the region, leaving “hundreds of powerlines on the deck” and creating potentially deadly risks.
Energex emphasized that there would be no “quick fix.” Crews face the daunting task of identifying faults across nearly every segment of the network, followed by the meticulous process of repairs. “Once we understand what we’re up against, we can start getting the lights back on,” the company stated. However, they cautioned that widespread and severe damage typically translates to complex and time-consuming repairs.
With hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses in southern Queensland and northern New South Wales plunged into darkness, scrutiny of the electricity system’s resilience is intensifying. As extreme weather events are predicted to become more frequent, the question arises: is Australia’s power infrastructure robust enough to withstand these challenges?
Neil Greet from Engineers Australia offered a sobering perspective. When asked about the resilience of Australia’s electricity systems, he replied, “Not very.” Greet, who conducted a review on energy security in 2014 and updated it last year, noted, “Energy Security: Where did we go in 10 years? Basically, nowhere. Unfortunately, we have created more vulnerabilities.”
He highlighted that the national conversation often revolves around the merits of fossil fuels versus renewable energy sources. However, Greet pointed out that these discussions overlook critical components of the energy system, emphasizing the need for a broader focus on overall infrastructure resilience.
As the recovery from Cyclone Alfred unfolds, the urgency for a more resilient power system becomes ever clearer, prompting calls for comprehensive reform to safeguard against future storms.
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