We want answers on why 24,000 residents were left in the cold and the dark

More than 24,000 people across a vast area were without power last night, Monday, July 8

State MP Richie Williamson said Transgrid and the Australian Energy Market Operator (AMEO) need to come clean on why it ordered Essential Energy to shed load last night leaving Northern Rivers residents in the dark on what was one of the coldest nights of the year.

Mr Williamson said early reports suggest issues with a major transmission line owned by Transgrid started the blackouts, but questions remain unanswered as to why the Northern Rivers was targeted to shed power.

“The unplanned power outage was vast affecting thousands of residents from Casino, Lismore, Kyogle and surrounding communities,” Mr Williamson said.

“It occurred right on dinner time leaving families in the dark late into the night without warning or without an explanation.”

Is it likely to happen again?

“It’s not good enough and residents deserve answers as to why the blackout occurred, why it took so long to restore power and provide a guarantee that similar shedding won’t happen into the future,” Mr Williamson said.

“The community is owed answers and I’m calling on the AEMO and Transgrid to come clean and provide those answers as soon as possible.

The AMEO website is currently down.

The information in this report was provided by the office of MP Richie Williamson.