Reducing power interruptions - bats

26 Jul 2011

An infestation of bats along a section of power line that connects Nitmiluk Gorge to the power grid is creating power outages to the Gorge Road area.

Every year fruit bats cause power outages in communities across the Top End. Interruptions occur as fruit bats cluster around power line insulators – creating short circuits. The fruit bats are in these areas because native plants are flowering, creating a food source for them.

In the meantime, Power and Water is working to reduce the number of power outages through:

• The installation of smart fuse assembly, allowing the line to be isolated in the event of a fault and ensuring power remains on for customers on Gorge Road.
• The addition of insulator guards, helping to keep bats off the insulators on top of the power poles.
• The installation of bat foils to minimise the impact the bats have on the power supply.

While these measures will greatly reduce the number of customers affected during outages, some flickering or momentary interruptions to power may still occur. These short outages are a result of equipment working automatically to restore the power line to normal service. If this automatic response is not successful, Power and Water crews must patrol the line to find the cause.

To report a fault on the power line, call Power and Water on 1800 245 092.