SA Power Networks is investing up to $10 million dollars to address insulator pollution across regional South Australia, to improve the significant power reliability issues experienced over the summer of 2025/26.

The work will see 10,000 insulators replaced across 33 powerlines. While the majority are on Yorke Peninsula, other replacements will occur on Eyre Peninsula, in the South-East, along the Limestone Coast, in the Murraylands and on Kangaroo Island.

With over 25,000 hours of work required – roughly equivalent to 50 powerline workers rotating on and off the works for around 6 months - the program represents one of the most significant workforce mobilisations SA Power Networks has ever undertaken.

Insulator pollution occurs in prolonged dry conditions when dust, salt and other contaminants settle on the insulators in the absence of washing rain. When combined with light moisture, a flashover event can occur and create a power outage. Repeated events cause the insulators to deteriorate and compound the problem.

The insulator pollution issue emerged as a reliability challenge late in the summer of 2024/25 but increased significantly in severity during the most recent summer. In response, SA Power Networks established a dedicated taskforce, focused initially on emergency insulator washing and deployment of generation, followed by detailed investigations into the causes of the issue, and development of a long-term remediation plan.

It is anticipated the insulator replacement program will commence in July, with a priority focus on ensuring it is substantively completed by the start of summer 2026, said SA Power Networks’ External Affairs Manager, Cecilia Schutz.

"The impacts of insulator pollution on our regional customers has been acute and far-reaching. This asset management program is our highest operational priority in 2026, and we must deliver it safely and efficiently, to ensure that customers experience a vastly improved level of reliability – this coming summer and beyond."

In addition to the replacement of 10,000 insulators, key aspects of the program include:

Installation of high voltage, automated switches: A mechanism which enables the electricity network to automatically isolate faults and minimise the customer impact of unplanned outages to a more localised area. This work is already underway across Yorke Peninsula.

Silicone coating of around 2,000 insulators, by helicopter: An approach effectively used in Western Australia for around 30 years, to prolong asset performance for 3-5 years – targeted on assets which will be replaced as part of broader network rebuilds planned for the next 5 – 10 years.
SA Power Networks said that the work program will involve planned outages to undertake the work for longer-term benefit, thanking customers in advance for their understanding.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do to restore customer confidence in these regions and given their recent experience, we don't take their patience for granted. At times, this work is going to be disruptive and wherever possible, we will be undertaking this work in ways that minimise that disruption,” said Ms Schutz.

This week, helicopter contractor Helistar will begin scoping powerlines with insulators identified for silicone coating. The ground-based scoping will inform a precise plan of timing and location, initially in the areas of Port Wakefield, the eastern edge of the Yorke Peninsula, and lines to Minlaton, Yorketown and Marion Bay.

For the overall program, it is anticipated that workforce mobilisation planning will be completed by the end of June, for replacement works to commence in July, and be substantively completed ahead of the summer season. The silicone spraying program will commence from June.

Ms Schutz said that engagement with landowners to discuss the silicone coating itself, along with potential land access requirements, will occur ahead of work commencing.

“Alongside targeted communications with impacted landowners and customers, public resources like our website will be updated with information about specific works, timings, and customer impacts.”