Canberra nights are calm and quiet, with the lights of the city and a steady power supply. But in recent years, there have been more and more power outages, and people are worried that the power grid is not reliable. Canberra has had power outages before, but now they are happening more often. A short power cut might only be a bit annoying, but a long one can really mess up your day. So it’s more important than ever to be prepared for power outage in Canberra, know how to track updates in real time, and be ready for emergencies.
The Causes of Canberra Power Outages
Weather Related Disruptions
Extreme weather is one of the main power outage causes. We usually think of power outages caused by violent events like thunderstorms, hurricanes or earthquakes, but like strong winds, freezing rain or heavy snow can cause the same damage. In Canberra, storms often damage power lines and equipment, while high winds can knock down trees and branches, causing power outages in whole communities.
Canberra has also had a lot of power outages because of extreme weather. In January 2020, a really bad hailstorm brought hail the size of golf balls and strong winds, causing a lot of damage to homes, vehicles and the power infrastructure, leaving many residents without power for long periods of time. These events show how easily the power infrastructure can be damaged by the unpredictability of nature.
Aging Infrastructure
Old infrastructure is a big cause of power outages. As key parts of the system, such as transformers, substations and power lines, age, the power facilities become more vulnerable and prone to failure, which can lead to unexpected power outages. This means they need to be looked after and upgraded. During these maintenance and upgrade works, the Australian government also plans power outages, which can cause temporary power outages for businesses and homes.
In addition, the old system has difficulty meeting the growing demand for electricity during peak hours. When there is not enough energy, some power companies will temporarily cut power to some areas to keep the energy balance.
Human Error and Accidents
Equipment failure is a common reason for power outages. But not all power outages are caused by technical problems. Accidental damage and human error can cause power outages. The following are common human causes:
- Accidents on construction sites: Sometimes, digging up the ground or building roads can damage cables underground. In March 2022, construction workers near Gungahlin accidentally hit some cables, causing a big power cut in some parts of Canberra.
- Vehicle collisions: In the suburbs or countryside, power lines are often close to the road. When vehicles hit power poles, this can cause a sudden power cut.
- Mistakes made by workers: Sometimes, people making or maintaining the grid make mistakes. This can cause power outages.
- Vandalism and theft: Power lines can be damaged or copper wire can be stolen, which can also affect the power supply.
By improving excavation regulations, protecting power lines better and making sure that maintenance is done properly, we can reduce the number of power outages and accidents, and make sure that the power supply is more stable and reliable.
Real-Time Updates: Tracking Power Failure in Canberra
Using the Power Outage Canberra Map
If there’s an outage, Evoenergy provides a map that shows where the power’s out. This lets people see how much of the area is affected, how long it’ll be fixed, and how the repair is going. This makes sure that people know about the outage as soon as it happens.
Official Communication Channels
Keep up to date with Evoenergy by following their website and social media.
Local government and emergency services in Canberra will also provide weather, disaster and electrical safety alerts. Residents can sign up to Emergency Alert to receive text or push notifications.
How to Stay Prepared for Power Out in Canberra?
Build an Emergency Kit
Make a list of everything you need to put in your emergency kit to help you prepare for power outages more easily and feel less worried if there is a sudden blackout. The kit should include the following things:
- Flashlights and batteries: Keep several LED flashlights on hand and make sure you have plenty of spare batteries. Avoid using candles to reduce the risk of fire.
- Portable radio: Keep yourself informed of the latest news and emergency alerts by using a battery-powered or hand-cranked radio when phone or internet services are down.
- Non-perishable food and drinking water: Make sure you have enough non-perishable food and drinking water. Get at least 3 litres of bottled water per person, per day. Also get food that will last a long time even when the power is off.
- First aid kit: Include bandages, disinfectant, painkillers and all necessary prescription medications.
- Power banks and charging devices: Make sure your phone and power bank are always fully charged. This will help you to keep in touch when there is a power cut.
- Warm clothes and blankets: When it’s cold, put on the right clothes to deal with problems with the heating.
- Cash reserves: If there is a power cut, you can not be able to use cash machines or make electronic payments. So, make sure you have enough cash to pay for anything you need.
- Emergency contact information: Make a list of important phone numbers, like the local power company, fire department and hospitals. This will help you to get help quickly in an emergency.
Invest in Backup Power
Investing in a home backup generator, such as a solar generator, can give you peace of mind, especially if you have family members who rely on medical equipment. Unlike traditional generators, which use fuel such as propane or gasoline, solar generators can use solar power to power essential equipment during a power outage.
As well as solar generators, portable power stations can help you deal with short power outages. The EcoFlow DELTA Pro Portable Power Station is a handy way to store energy for emergencies, so you can power essentials like routers and refrigerators. And you can charge your laptop and mobile phone so you can stay up to date and connected.
Make an Emergency Plan
Every Australian family should have an emergency plan. This means that every member of the family knows what to do in an emergency.
Plan ahead to avoid confusion
- Talk about what to do in an emergency and make a plan for your home, school and workplace.
- Make a list of the most important things, including who to call in an emergency, how to get out of the building, and where your backup supplies are.
- Store important documents (e.g. birth certificates, passports, wills, financial documents, insurance policies, etc.) in containers that keep them dry and safe from fire.
- If you have someone in another town or city who you can contact in an emergency, that’s good. That way, you can stay in touch if there’s no phone or internet.
Practice your plan regularly
At least once a year, make sure your family knows the emergency procedures and that everyone has an updated copy of the emergency plan. If you do this, your family will be safer and more organised in an emergency.
Adopting Solar Energy Systems
Power outages are annoying, but you can make them less of a problem by planning ahead. Think about all the things that need power – like lighting, computers, medical equipment, fridges for medicines, and so on. Then, you can get a solar system to help when there’s no power. Having a solar system also makes you more energy independent. A solar panel and battery system stores extra power and releases it when there’s a power cut, which gives you a reliable backup for your home or important equipment. This makes you more self-sufficient in an emergency.
Portable solar power generators are another option. These can provide a backup in case of an outage, such as the EcoFlow solar generator, which provides continuous power to your devices during an outage. These portable units provide clean, renewable power from the sun and feature high-capacity lithium batteries, multiple AC outlets and USB ports to provide stable support for medical equipment, communication tools and lighting systems.
What should I do with perishable food during a prolonged blackout in Canberra?
Before the Outage
Keep a thermometer or a refrigerator with a temperature monitoring system on hand. This will show you the temperature inside the refrigerator and freezer. This will help you to know if perishable foods are at the right temperature for serving during a power cut. You will usually need to keep the refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below and the freezer at 0°F (-18°C) or below.
Freeze several containers filled with water, which will keep corrosive foods cold in your refrigerator and freezer during a power outage.
Freezing perishable foods. Freeze leftovers, milk, fresh meat and poultry that do not need to be eaten immediately. This will extend the time it can be safely stored.
If you know the power outage will last more than four hours, prepare ice packs, dry ice or block ice and put them all in the freezer to keep food cold during the outage.
During the Outage
Try to keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as you can to keep the cold air in. A fridge that is not opened can keep food cold for about 4 hours, while a freezer full of food can keep food at a safe temperature for up to 48 hours.
Here is a tip to keep your refrigerator cold: put frozen ice packs, frozen containers filled with water or dry ice in the freezer.
If you leave perishable foods at room temperature for more than two hours (or one hour if it’s over 90°F (32°C), they should be thrown away to stop food poisoning.
After the Power is Restored
If the power is off for 4 hours or less, most foods are safe as long as the refrigerator door is kept closed.
When the power comes back on, use a thermometer to check the temperature inside the refrigerator. If the temperature is 40°F (4°C) or lower, the food is safe and can be refrozen if necessary. Perishable foods should be cooked and eaten as soon as possible.
After a power cut of more than 4 hours, check food temperatures and throw away any perishable foods, such as meat, poultry, seafood, dairy products, eggs or leftovers, that have gone off if they have been above 40°F (4°C) for more than 4 hours.
Final Thoughts
Power outages in Canberra are a common problem, so it’s important to be prepared. They can happen without warning, for example because of extreme weather, old infrastructure or an accident. This guide help you understand how to prevent, manage and respond to power outages. With DELTA’s range of portable power stations, you can easily store power and provide your home with stable and reliable power when it matters, so that power cuts don’t have to be a nuisance.
FAQs
How can I track active outages in my area?
Evoenergy has a really useful map that shows you where there is currently an outage. You can go online and check what’s happening with the power in your area. The map shows you which areas are affected and how long it’ll take to get your power back on. If you need any other help, there is also a page where you can report an issue or check the status of a power outage.
How to Report a Power Outage?
If you’re having a power outage in Canberra, please get in touch with Evoenergy, our lovely local electricity distributor, on 13 10 93. They’re there for you 24/7, so no matter when you need them, they’ll be there. You can also report an outage via the Evoenergy website or mobile app – so much easier than phoning!
How long do outages typically last in Canberra?
In Canberra, power outage duration is usually between 30 minutes and 2 hours, depending on the cause and the area. According to Evoenergy, unplanned outages last an average of about 35 minutes, while planned maintenance outages last a few hours to half a day. In the event of extreme weather or major grid failures, power outages in some areas may last longer.