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ETSA Utilities is committed to providing a safe and reliable power supply to South Australians. Part of this commitment involves maintaining and upgrading the distribution network.
While we're carrying out maintenance and/or upgrade works, we are often required to interrupt the power supply for safety reasons. At all times we aim to minimise the impact this may have on you.
For planned interruptions that affect you, we will provide you notice of at least four working days. In most instances, we will place a notification card in your letterbox, although from time to time we notify our customers via newspaper and radio advertising.
Unplanned power interruptions do however occur. They may be due to motor vehicle accidents; birds, possums or vegetation on the lines; or the effects of severe weather conditions such as damaging winds, lightning or extreme heat.
You can assist us to restore power faster by reporting a fault or emergency on 13 13 66, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We're particularly keen on information such as weather conditions in your area, or locations where vegetation is interfering with power lines, or electricity equipment that is damaged, as this may be the location of the fault. It also helps to have your National Meter Identifier (NMI) handy. You can find this number on your electricity account.
Upcoming Extended Interruptions
Wudinna, 7 February (more information)
Renmark, 13 February (more information)
North West Bend, Morgan, Blanchetown and Swan Reach, 15 February (more information)
Frequently asked questions about power interruptions
What should I do if my power does go off?
What information to provide when calling 13 13 66
What should I do if I see a 'live' wire?
How can I prepare for a power interruption?
What to do during an extended interruption in summer.
What to do during an extended interruption in winter.
What should I do if I have special needs such as life-support equipment?
How does ETSA Utilities decide in which order customers have their power restored?
If you experience an unexpected loss of power at your premise, here is what you should do:
Check your meter box to see if your main switch has been turned off or if any fuses/circuit breakers have blown or tripped.
The loss of power may be from something simple like a blown fuse. For your safety, please do not touch any switch or fuse that has burnt areas. Instead, contact a licensed electrician.
If your meter box does not indicate a fault, check with your neighbours to see if they have also lost power.
If they are also without power, turn off all electrical appliances and equipment except for one light (not fluorescent). This will enable you to know when power is restored.
If your fuses and safety switches are OK and you wish to report the fault or gain an update regarding the expected restoration time please call our faults and emergencies line on 13 13 66.
In order for us to send a crew to locate the fault and restore supply we require as much information as possible.
Naturally, you can simply provide us with your address, but quoting your meter number which appears on your electricity bill or on your meter itself will assist to have your power as soon as possible.
In outer metro or rural areas it may be helpful to provide additional information such as:
Any pole numbers you have record of or the location of your nearest transformer.
Safety comes first at ETSA Utilities, for our staff and customers.
Please call a customer service representative on 13 13 66 to report a dangerous situation or damage to our equipment.
Do you have a battery powered radio?
- It can be helpful to listen in for restoration updates.
Do you have a telephone that will work without power?
- Many modern phones require mains electrical power.
Do you have a battery-powered or wind-up alarm clock?
Is your torch fully charged and in an easy to reach position in the house?
Can you use your barbeque to cook and boil water?
Close all blinds or curtains on the sunny side of the house.
Keep the fridge closed as much as possible to extend food life.
If candles are used, never leave them unattended.
- Watch children and pets as they could knock them over.
Remember to drink plenty of fluids.
Remember to check on elderly or special-need neighbours, who may be susceptible to the effects of heat stress.
If a family member appears overheated, use cool compresses to cool their skin.
During the warmer, daytime hours go to air conditioned shopping centres, libraries, movie theatres or any public place that is air conditioned.
Contact your GP if you have any health related questions.
During the day, open blinds or curtains to let the sun warm the building.
If candles are used, never leave them unattended.
- Watch children and pets as they could knock them over.
Gather in a central room where you have alternative heating.
Contact your GP if you have any health-related questions.
ETSA Utilities recognises the issues associated with extended power interruptions, especially those customers with special needs, such as those who rely on life-support equipment.
Customers who experience medical distress during a power interruption should seek medical assistance immediately.
ETSA Utilities strongly suggests that special needs customers, and/or their care givers, make arrangements ahead of time to prepare.
Contact ETSA Utilities in writing to register as a medical-support customer. You will need a letter from a hospital or medical practitioner advising us of your special equipment requirements. For example: dialysis, life-support or heart-lung equipment that requires mains electrical power.
Requests can be sent to:
ETSA Utilities
Customer Service
GPO Box 77
Adelaide SA 5001
Identify a location with emergency power capabilities and make plans to go there.
Identify relatives and friends who you can stay with in the event of a substantial power interruption.
Although generators can provide back-up power, they can be expensive, bulky and a safety hazard if installed or used incorrectly. So it's a good idea to research information on generators and consult a licensed electrician before making a decision.
If large areas are affected by a power interruption, ETSA Utilities follows these steps to decide which areas have power restored first.
In this way, we make safe any hazardous situations and restore supply to as many people as possible, as quickly as possible.