Australian electricity distributor ETSA Utilities has begun an early summer preparation program to enhance supply reliability for its 782,000 customers as the state of South Australia moves into an early bushfire alert.
In expectation of a hot summer ahead, the A$160 million works program that was announced in April this year has already been increased by a further A$26 million of commitment to assist with specific summer preparation programs such as summer aerial patrolling.
Lew Owens, CEO of ETSA Utilities, said that summer always has the company on high-alert, and that it organizes additional available crews and work programs to better manage the issues created by extended periods of high temperatures and bushfires.
Mr Owens said: This makes summer a critical period for ETSA Utilities. For us, it is about minimizing the risk of supply interruptions and maximizing our abilities to tackle effectively any potential issues before they arise.