Power Outage Chaos in Kalgoorlie: Backup Turbines Struggle to Restore Power

Power Outage Hits Kalgoorlie

On Friday, a significant power outage affected over 16,000 homes and businesses in Kalgoorlie, creating chaos in the region. The outage, which began at 11:15 AM, was caused by a fault in the 220kV transmission line from Collie. By 7 PM, residents remained without power, leading to widespread frustration among the community.

Backup Turbines and Safety Concerns

Western Power reported that backup turbines were activated but only operating at a reduced capacity for safety reasons. This delay in restoration raised concerns among residents, many of whom expressed outrage over the repeated power failures. Prominent local businessman Ashok Parekh called the situation an "absolute disgrace," highlighting the severe impact on local businesses struggling due to power loss.

Calls for Accountability

• Residents took to social media to voice their dissatisfaction.
• Petitions for an independent inquiry into power supply issues began circulating.

Despite promises from the State Government to improve power reliability, many individuals voiced concerns that previous outages were ignored. The government plans to enhance the power supply by adding 150MW by 2026, but the community questions the timeline and effectiveness of such measures.

Frustration and Future Solutions

Businesses like Mac’s Deli and Lunch Bar experienced immediate consequences, resulting in wasted products and lost revenue. Community members discussed the potential need for a dedicated power station to prevent future outages, including the option of nuclear power. With the current backup system not meeting needs, residents hope for faster, more reliable solutions.