Candelo Essential Energy customers will experience two power outages during upgrade and maintenance work over coming months.
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The company has announced crews will upgrade and maintain the electricity network in Candelo village over the coming months to ensure the ongoing safety and reliability of the local power supply.
Candelo will see four power outages in total, with customers experiencing no more than two over the period of the project.
“Due to the scale of the project, four planned power outages will be necessary between January and mid-March to enable crews to safely access the electricity network,” Essential Energy’s regional manager for the southern region, Steven Ilitch, said.
“Customers will experience no more than two power outages throughout this project with affected residents and businesses notified in advance to allow time to make alternative arrangements.”
The first power outage is scheduled between 9.15am and 3.15pm on Tuesday, January 17, conditions permitting, with subsequent outages to take place in February and March.
Mr Ilitch, said crews from Bega, Moruya, Bombala, Cooma and Jindabyne would combine to replace more than one kilometre of low voltage powerline in sections of William, Eden and Bega streets with more robust aerial bundled cable.
Crews will also complete a variety of maintenance tasks including replacing power poles, cross-arms and insulating devices, and upgrading existing electrical equipment.
Road users are advised that these changes may include reduced speed limits, road closures and minor traffic delays.
“We thank the community for its patience and understanding while we work to improve the robustness of our local electricity network,” Mr Ilitch said.
Essential Energy advises that changes to local traffic arrangements will be necessary throughout the duration of the project and will be undertaken by an accredited specialist to minimise inconvenience to motorists and ensure the safety of employees, contractors and the community.
The project is expected to be completed by late March 2017, and customers can access handy online tips about how to prepare for power outages by visiting the Essential Energy website.
In November it was announced at least 30 current Essential Energy employees would be made redundant prior to Christmas 2016.
The move followed a Fair Work Commission determination in the long-running dispute over new Enterprise Agreement negotiations between the energy provider and unions.