A severe weather event in the Broken Hill area on 16 October 2024 led to the failure of the transmission line that supplies Broken Hill, requiring Transgrid’s two back-up generators to provide power.
At the time, one generator was unavailable due to maintenance and the other experienced multiple outages, resulting in 12,700 properties in Broken Hill and surrounding areas being left without power intermittently until 31 October 2024.
The AER alleges that Transgrid breached the National Electricity Rules by failing to:
- arrange for management, maintenance and operation of its network to minimise the number of interruptions by using good electricity industry practice between 22 June 2022 and 28 October 2024 (Clause 5.2.3(e1)(3))
- arrange for power to be restored as soon as possible between 17 October 2024 and 28 October 2024 (Clause 5.2.3(e1)(4))
- ensure its system complied with its NSW transmission operator’s licence between 1 July 2024 and 30 June 2025 (Clause 5.2.3(f)).
The AER also alleges that Transgrid failed to institute and maintain a compliance program for the generators in the period between 13 November 2022 and 27 October 2025 (Rule 4.15(b)).
AER Chair Clare Savage said the October 2024 events had a significant impact on Broken Hill and the surrounding communities.
“The power disruptions in October 2024 had far-reaching and serious impacts across the Broken Hill region, especially given its geographical isolation,” she said.
“It’s absolutely critical that network service providers are prepared to adequately manage and maintain electricity supply to their customers.
“Today’s filing of court proceedings follows a thorough and complex investigation requiring significant legal and technical expertise, and close collaboration with the NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal.”
The AER is seeking pecuniary penalties, declarations and costs.
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