Insulator pollution is driven by environmental and weather conditions that can affect many parts of the network at the same time.

Our crews regularly inspect, clean and maintain equipment, and we are continuing to clean, repair and replace insulators where needed as part of our response.

Insulator pollution is a weather-driven, system-wide reliability issue.

While previously an infrequent issue with generally low impacts, in the summer of 2025/26, it resurfaced as a major issue, demanding greater strategic consideration and planning alongside an expanded operational response. Given that this had not historically been a significant reliability issue, our focus last summer was predominantly on operational response - mainly the targeted washing of insulators.

Since the re-emergence of the issue in the 2025/26 summer, insulator pollution has become our highest organisational priority. SAPN established a dedicated taskforce in January 2026, supported by enhanced governance structures. The taskforce is focused on coordinating operational responses with mitigation and remediation efforts.

SA Power Networks is investing up to $10 million 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 upgraded to pollution resistant insulators across our 33kV 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.

We are also installing high voltage, automated switches. This is a mechanism which enables the electricity network to automatically switch to a back-up supply for communities when there is a fault.

Further, we're embarking on the 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.

The installation of high voltage, automated switches is already underway across Yorke Peninsula.

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.

Most of the insulator replacement works will require planned outages to ensure the safety of our crews, and the efficient delivery of work. We understand that this is a further disruption for customers and want to thank them in advance for their patience, which we don’t take this for granted.

Where planned outages are necessary, we will provide advance notice and work to minimise disruption by:

• Rotating outage locations where possible so customers don't experience a number of planned outages in a row
• Coordinating with other planned works where appropriate. By 'bundling' works together we can reduce the number of outages
• Mobilising resources in order to maximise the amount of work completed during each outage
• Keeping customers informed throughout the program

Where access to private property is required, we will engage directly with landholders to discuss access needs and work to minimise impacts and will remediate land if required.

Outages are not likely to be required for the silicone application work.

Customers will be contacted directly in advance about upcoming outages through our usual customer communication channels of SMS/email. Outages will also be listed on the SA Power Networks website.

The 10,000 insulators being replaced and the ones being silicone coated are the ones having the greatest impact and so this program is expected to put a stop to repeated widespread outages. However, isolated, smaller scale insulator pollution issues may still occur from time to time after the work is complete. Washing of insulators may still be considered but only as an emergency measure.

We are using two different types of insulators which we do not believe will have the same issues.

7500 of them will be silicone insulators. The rest will be new, enhanced porcelain insulators. These new enhanced porcelain insulators do not contain a metal pin that older types previously used on our network do, so they do not pose the additional risk for outages caused by lightning.

Adding silicone coating to insulators is a proven method for minimising insulator pollution and improving insulator performance under adverse environmental conditions. Silicone helps protect the network by coating insulators with a water-repellent layer, which reduces electrical leakage and lowers the chance of damage.

It is 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.

The silicone coating will be applied to insulators on 33kV powerlines in the general areas of Port Wakefield and down the eastern edge of Yorke Peninsula, including the line to Minlaton all the way to Yorketown, and the line across to Marion Bay, as well as one near Port Augusta.

We will use a South Australian silicone product used to protect against potential electrical hazards that is non-toxic (contains ingredients approved for incidental food contact). It is translucent, odourless, non-corrosive, non-solidifying, water repellent, and biodegradable.

Our trial follows months of risk assessments, testing, industry engagement, feeder scoping and verification for this new solution.

Western Australia electricity distributor Western Power has been using this product to perform silicone spraying for about 30 years, mitigating power reliability issues from insulator pollution.

To date, SA Power Networks has engaged with a range of stakeholders, including Western Power - Western Australia's electricity distributor - which has successfully used silicone coating to manage similar challenges being faced by South Australia. We've also engaged product manufacturers and South Australia's Department of Environment and Water.

In the lead-up to, and throughout scoping, SA Power Networks will be engaging with landowners, local councils and members of SA Government departments and statutory authorities.

Helicopters allow us to address the issue efficiently - providing the ability to cover more assets in shorter time frames, and with lower costs.

The approach also enables 'live' spraying - meaning that we can keep the power on while we complete the work and minimise disruption to the community.

We're exploring options on how we may be able to apply silicone coating from the ground at locations where we may not be able to fly due to flight restrictions.

We understand that some customers may have experienced property damage, such as appliance damage, during recent outages involving repeated interruptions. 

We’ve had confirmation from the State Government that the Small Claims Scheme will apply to some appliance and property damage caused by insulator pollution outages.

The Small Claims Scheme is applicable to certain types of voltage variations caused by failures in our electricity infrastructure, excluding incidents like natural events, third-party damages, or contact with fauna or flora. 

You can learn more, including comprehensive information and FAQs on the Small Claims Scheme and application process.

There is also a Guaranteed Service Level (GSL) payment which will be automatically applied to customers who have experienced outages beyond a certain threshold. This will be automatically credited to qualifying customers on their first electricity bill from September. Learn more about Guaranteed Service Level payments.

 If you believe your property has been damaged, please keep records and photographs where possible. We also recommend contacting your insurer to understand your coverage.