4pm Update: Power outages across Victoria’s northern and western region

29 October, 2021

Over the past 24 hours, CitiPower and Powercor crews have restored power to more than 100,000 homes and businesses after overnight storms causes extensive damage to power poles and wires across widespread areas.

There remain 54,107 customers in western Victoria and Melbourne’s inner suburbs without power –  51,908 customers in the Powercor network and a further 2,199 in the CitiPower network.

More than 300 field crew resources have been active on the ground across multiple areas throughout the day to do what is necessary to restore power.  They are supported by more than 200 vegetation specialists, technical support, control room, fault response and other experts focused on identifying and restoring power safely and quickly.

Our priorities are towns with the most significant damage and customers impacted in and around Apollo Bay, Lorne, Terang, Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Colac, Warrnambool, Trentham, Blackwood and Kyneton.  We have mobilised generators to the surf coast, and Kyneton regions.

Our crews are continuing to assess the extent of the damage, caused by fallen trees and branches, as well as lightning strikes. We currently responding to more than 1,000 faults, including approximately 400 fallen powerlines.

Based on the assessments conducted, we expect some customers will be without power over the weekend.

We are aware that many people may be planning to travel for the first weekend out of COVID lockdown.  However, we would encourage them to check whether power is affected at their destination, be cautious on the roads and be alert to fallen trees and other debris.

We understand that many people have been looking forward to this long weekend after such a difficult time, and we are working as safely and as quickly as possible to get power back on.

Current customer numbers off supply as at 4pm are:

Ardeer region 8,208
Ballarat 12,546
Geelong (including Lorne and Surf Coast) 20,355
Kyneton (including Trentham, Blackwood) 6079
Bendigo 246
Warrnambool 265
Terang 1,570
Nhill 617
Ararat 1665

If people do see a fallen powerline, they should always stay well away from them and report them to us immediately on 13 24 12.