Power outages

February 2024 storm-related power outages

On Tuesday 13 February and Thursday 22 February, extreme weather resulted in power outages across Victoria.

Network outage review

A network outage review has been commissioned into the system response to the 13 February 2024 storms, led by a panel of independent experts.

The expert panel will be chaired by Rosemary Sinclair, the former CEO of Energy Consumers Australia, and will include Gerard Brody, the former chief executive of the Consumer Action Law Centre, and Kevin Kehl, an electrical engineer and former executive leader at Powerlink Queensland and Energex.

The Review will seek input from the Australian Energy Market Operator, Australian Energy Regulator, Energy Safe Victoria, the Essential Services Commission, and other regulators.

The expert panel will deliver an interim report to the Minister in June and a final report in August 2024. For more information, please see the terms of reference.

Community and stakeholder reviews

Community and stakeholders will have opportunities to participate through Public Panel meetings or written submissions to the review.

The Network Outage Review Panel undertook its first consultation with communities and businesses on Saturday 23 March and Sunday 24 March at Mirboo North.

Details of future consultations will be confirmed soon.

For more information or questions, please email network.outagereview@deeca.vic.gov.au.

Prolonged Power Outage Payment

Applications for the February 2024 Prolonged Power Outage Payment (PPOP) closed on 10 April 2024. Applicants who submitted an application to AusNet or Powercor Australia by 11.59pm on 10 April 2024 and meet the eligibility requirements will receive their PPOP payment. Applicants seeking an update on their application should contact their distributor.

The PPOP program, funded by the Victorian Government and Australian Governments, provided financial relief to households and businesses that were without power for seven or more cumulative days due to extreme weather events on Tuesday, 13 February 2024 and Thursday, 22 February 2024.

AusNet Services and Powercor Australia are supporting the delivery of this relief payment to customers in its electricity distribution network.

Subject to the below eligibility criteria, the Prolonged Power Outage Payment provided:

• $1,920 per week for households for up to 3 weeks, depending on the length of time the household was without power.
• $2,927 per week for small businesses for up to 3 weeks, depending on the length of time the business was without power.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for the Prolonged Power Outage Payment, residential customers must:

• have a residential electricity account that is registered against a national meter identification number (NMI) for the AusNet or Powercor Australia electricity distribution networks (electricity account holder)
• be an electricity account holder of a property that was without power for 7 days cumulatively, within a two week (14 day) period, from Tuesday 13 to Tuesday 27 February 2024 as a result of severe weather events on Tuesday 13 February and Thursday 22 February
• have not applied for, or received a Prolonged Power Outage Payment, for an electricity account that is registered against the same NMI in relation to the same period
• made an application to AusNet or Powercor Australia in the specified form, by no later than 11.59pm on 10 April 2024.

For detailed information and guidance on applying for the Prolonged Power Outage Payment, please refer to the guidelines for residential customers.

Businesses were eligible if they:

• have a business electricity account that is registered against a national meter identification number (NMI) for the AusNet or Powercor Australia electricity distribution networks (Electricity Account Holder)
• have the Electricity Account Holder in the name of the business' legal name or trading name
• operate from a location that was without power for 7 days cumulatively, as a result of severe weather events on Tuesday 13 February 2024 and Thursday 22 February within a 2-week (14 day) period), from 13 February 2024
• have an annual Victorian payroll of $10 million or less in 2022/2023 on an ungrouped basis*
• hold an Australian Business Number (ABN) and have held that ABN at 12.01am Tuesday 13 February 2024
• are registered with the responsible Federal or State regulator
• have not applied for, or received, a Prolonged Power Outage Payment for an electricity account that is registered against the same NMI in relation to the same period
• made an application to AusNet or Powercor Australia in the specified form, by no later than 11.59pm on 10 April 2024.

*Where a business is in a payroll group, the payroll eligibility criteria apply to each business in the payroll group. That is, any member of a group with an annual Victorian taxable payroll of up to $10 million in 2022-2023 can apply.

For detailed information and guidance on applying for the Prolonged Power Outage Payment, please refer to the guidelines for businesses.

Other customer support

AusNet Energy Resilience Community Fund

Customers who do not meet the eligibility criteria for PPOP but were impacted by the February storm events maybe be eligible for a financial hardship grant from AusNet Services.

Low income households that were without power for between 3 and 7 days are eligible to apply for a $300 grant. Small businesses that were without power for more than 3 days, and have incurred uninsured losses as a result, are eligible to apply for a grant of up to $5,000.

Applications are open until 30 April and further information on eligibility and how to apply is available on the AusNet website.

Relief and recovery support is also available on the VicEmergency website.

What causes power outages?

Localised power outages can occur for many reasons, including:

• severe weather such as lightning, floods, heatwaves or high winds
• trees interfering with powerlines
• bushfires
• unexpected technical faults
• car accidents
• planned essential maintenance works
• (rarely) to help balance supply and demand during the peak period.

During extreme weather conditions and on Total Fire Ban days, the risk of localised power outages increases.

To report an outage, contact your electricity distributor or call the faults and emergencies number on your most recent power bill.

Restoring power after an emergency

This is the responsibility of your local electricity distributor that owns and maintains the poles and wires bringing power to your home.

• You must use a licensed tradesperson for gas or electric work following the effects of a flood or fire.
• Following storm or fire damage, you should have a licensed electrician check wiring and repair any electrical damage before you reconnect power or switch on appliances. A licensed gasfitter will check gas appliances.
• You must use a licensed tradesperson for gas or electric work following the effects of a flood or fire.

For more information, visit energy safety during floods.

Timely and accurate information from electricity distribution businesses

Under the Electricity Industry Act 2000, the Secretary of DEECA, or their delegate, has the authority to direct electricity distribution businesses to provide customer information or support during and after a prolonged power outage. This is to ensure that customers affected by prolonged power outages receive timely and accurate information. The information pertains to restoration activities and the status of the outage.

This register lists any directions that have been given, when they were given and to whom.

The end date is the default listed – unless otherwise revoked or extended.

Using generators

• Get help from a licensed electrician to connect a generator.
• You must not connect generators to the wiring of your home or perform any other electrical work. It is both illegal and dangerous. Licensed electricians can only carry out this work.
• Download the Energy Safe Victoria using a generator safely information

Floods and storms

Floodwater damage to your home's electrical circuitry, gas installations or appliances can threaten safety.

• Your energy distributor can advise you on how to get back up and running.
• You should call a licensed electrician to inspect your home or building after flood damage.
• Water affected gas appliances should not be used until inspected by a licensed gasfitter.

Fallen powerlines

Following an emergency, powerlines may still be live and can be fatal. Please follow these precautions.

• Stay well clear of fallen powerlines or anything they may be touching.
• Call your local electricity distributor – or the faults and emergencies number on your most recent electricity bill.
• Do not attempt to remove or prune trees that have fallen on powerlines.

Preventing power outages

Trees interfering with powerlines are a cause of many easily preventable power outages.

You can help to reduce this risk by regularly checking the size and health of trees growing close to powerlines and contacting your local council or electricity distributor for advice.

For more information, visit managing trees near powerlines on Energy Safe Victoria.

Planned outages – be prepared

Before doing any essential maintenance, your electricity distributor will notify you in advance of any planned works and outages.

If notified of a planned power outage, prepare by organising:

• access to a charged mobile phone or landline that doesn't rely on electricity to operate
• alternative lighting, such as a torch or a battery-operated light
• alternative cooking facilities and heating
• access to fresh water.

Before the scheduled time of the power outage, make sure appliances are turned off.

Unexpected power outages

Be prepared and have a plan to manage blackouts. You may need back-up power if you rely heavily on electricity. Don't rely on power as part of any bushfire preparedness plan.

Remember power outages can also affect phones, radios and water pumps. So, arrange for alternatives that don't rely on electricity supply.

If your power goes out, your energy distributor will arrange for it to be restored.

Find your energy distributor online or call 136 186.

Reporting a safety issue

Report safety issues to your energy distributor. If you are unsatisfied with the outcome, you can contact Energy Safe Victoria at 9203 9700.

Page last updated: 11/04/24