Development of a new solar farm south of Gunnedah is drawing frustration from residents – ironically due to power outages.

It follows a series of planned outages by Essential Energy recently in the Wandobah Road area.

The power outages were carried out over consecutive days as temperatures neared 40 degrees.

The power interruption left residents with limited cooling and some without water due to the dependence on pumps in the semi-rural area.

Residents were advised in writing by the electricity distributor about the outages but some were frustrated the planned work proceeded despite the adverse weather conditions.

An Essential Energy spokesperson told the Gunnedah Times the work was necessary to enable the connection of a new Gunnedah solar farm.

“The works involve the installation of new electricity infrastructure and supporting equipment, including new poles and powerlines which will be carried out over the coming months,” the spokesperson said.

“As the operator of the electricity network, Essential Energy sent a letter to customers to provide advance notice of the upcoming works, which will require multiple planned power outages impacting them variously over the coming months.

“Essential Energy also notifies affected customers directly, advising the dates and times of outages affecting them, to allow time for customers to make alternative arrangements – such as pumping and storing water ahead of a planned outage.”

Asked about contingencies when high temperatures were experienced during planned outages, Essential Energy said all work is carried out subject to weather conditions.

“When planned power outages coincide with days of extreme weather, the work is assessed on the day to determine if it should proceed. The assessment criteria consider many factors, including customer impact, the type of work scheduled, weather forecasts including total fire ban days, and relevant health, safety and environmental procedures and policies,” the spokesperson said.

“All customers are encouraged to have contingency plans in place that can support their individual energy needs during periods of planned outages for network maintenance or in the event of an unplanned power outage.”

The Wandobah Road solar farm, originally developed by ITP Renewables but is now operated under EDP Renewables, is described as a 5MW, 12ha solar facility.

A statement of environmental effects for the solar farm, published in 2021, said electricity generated by the private infrastructure will be directed to Gunnedah via “existing electrical lines” to contribute to the supply of electricity for use by households and businesses in the town centre.

EDP Renewables, which is headquartered in Singapore but has offices across the world, acquired Australian-based ITP earlier this year. EDP was contacted for comment.

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