BUSINESS owners in Bemboka are dismayed at Essential Energy maintenance that will blackout most of the town on Wednesday.
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On the week starting February 5, businesses in Bemboka township were told of the supply interruption that is scheduled to take five hours.
Essential Energy said tomorrow’s interruption was unavoidable and would affect Loftus, Robinson, Geraghty, Broad, Adams, Hoskins streets and Sams Corner Road.
“The maintenance work is crucial to securing the ongoing reliability and sustainability of the network to help minimise the incidence of storms and other external factors causing unplanned power supply interruptions,” a spokesperson said.
However, Andrew Judge of Bemboka Post Office said he is upset at the service interruption and the effect it will have on local business.
“We can put a small generator on and keep the computers running, but the grocery store Crystals ‘N’ Lace, Bemboka Pie Shop and the pub all have significant refrigeration needs so five hours is a very long time frame,” he said.
“I have to say I’m annoyed, really with everything that’s been happening with the pool closing now the power company is literally turning the lights off.
“It seems like the town is always getting a raw deal,” he said.
Isolated and elderly residents will also be without access to fans or air conditioners should Wednesday be hot.
Essentially Energy said it will cover fees for businesses to hire temporary generators “in some circumstances … however the customer is responsible for the costs involved in delivery, removal, fuel and engaging an electrical contractor to connect and disconnect it”.
However, Angela Canby of the Bemboka Pie Shop told the BDN that for previous long service interruptions, Essential Energy had supplied a large generator to supply local businesses at no cost.
Ms Canby said the shop will not be able to fulfil its standing bakery orders on Wednesday if the interruption goes ahead.
"It affects our business, we shouldn't have to go through this," she said.
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