This page provides updates on work taking place in areas affected by insulator pollution. Content is updated as new information becomes available.
Latest media releases
Other updates
19 May 2026
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 are 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.
13 April 2026
Due to the combination of washing rains and an extensive washing program over January and February, there have been no insulator pollution-related outages since late February.
We have finished our insulator washing program for this season. This included a successful trial of helicopter washing in early March, which is something we might use in the future to help manage this issue.
Our focus has now turned to longer-term plans to minimise the risk of insulator pollution-related outages in the future and improve network reliability.
We are currently undertaking detailed scoping of insulator replacement, which will start in the second half of the year in preparation for the upcoming summer.
Planned work for all regions
Planned work in relation to insulator pollution for all regions is listed on the Planned Work page.
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