Following repeated outages during the summers of 2024/25 and 2025/26, we established a dedicated, cross-functional taskforce to strengthen our response to insulator pollution. As a result, we are now implementing an extensive asset management program across affected regions to ensure reliability is significantly improved for the upcoming summer and beyond.
The majority of this work is focused on Yorke Peninsula, however work will also occur on Eyre Peninsula, the Limestone Coast, in the South East, near Murray Bridge and on Kangaroo Island.
Click below to see more information on work completed to June 2026.
Overview
Insulator pollution has been managed through a coordinated statewide program of monitoring, maintenance, and operational response. This approach combined targeted field work, specialist techniques, and longer-term network planning to reduce the likelihood of outages and minimise customer impacts.
A dedicated, cross-functional taskforce was established to coordinate this work across the network, bringing together operational, engineering, asset, and customer teams. The taskforce ensured response activities and communications were aligned and applied consistently in affected regions. The taskforce will continue to coordinate our medium and long-term responses.
Inspection and risk prioritisation
Targeted inspections were completed across affected parts of the network to identify insulators and powerline sections at greatest risk of pollution-related faults. This ensured crews were focused first on the areas with the highest customer impact and greatest reliability risk. This activity was a key part of preparing for the $10 million works program to be delivered by summer 2026/27.
Water washing insulators
Ground washing
Throughout January and February 2026, we carried out extensive work across the network, including washing and targeted replacement of insulators in the most affected areas. Subsequently, around 85% of poles (which support the insulators) were identified as high risk.
Combined with the significant rainfall at the end of February, this improved network performance. There have been no significant pollution-related outages since mid-February.
While water washing remains an effective tool for immediate pollution impacts, it is labour intensive and only provides temporary relief. If washing from the ground, we also need to turn off the power and schedule planned outages.
Water washing will now only be used as an emergency measure, as we focus on delivering an asset management program which aims to reduce the need for this approach
Helicopter washing
SA Power Networks completed a trial, using helicopters to wash large sections of the distribution network more efficiently and with considerably less impact on customers.
This trial was conducted on the Yorke Peninsula during March 2026 and proved operationally successful as a short-term mitigation measure.
This approach was aimed at complementing ground-based programs and helped accelerate progress across priority areas.
As of March 2026, the success of our manual washing and upgrade program, combined with sufficient rainfall, meant that helicopter washing was no longer required at that time.
Mobile generation deployment
In February 2026, mobile generation was deployed as an emergency measure to support supply stability in hardest-hit areas while remediation continued. Mobile generation was intended to provide a backup supply for interruptions of the main supply lines but did not eliminate momentary interruptions. The selection of locations was based on the following criteria:
- Highest impact on business and affected customer numbers
- The extent to which other remediation measures may reduce impacts in the short term
- Technical viability of connecting and using generation based on the local network
Mobile generation was subsequently deployed in Minlaton and Cowell.
What happens next
We're investing up to $10 million to address insulator pollution across regional South Australia. The work will see 10,000 insulators replaced across 33kV powerlines with a further 2000 insulators being silicone coated to prolong asset performance.
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.
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 following work will be undertaken as part of the program:
Insulator replacement
10,000 insulators will be 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.
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.
Installation of high voltage, automated switches
We're installing high voltage, automated switches. This is a mechanism which enables the electricity network to automatically switch to an alternative supply route when there is a fault. Essentially, it works to minimise the number of customers impacted by a fault, by better isolating the impacted section of the network.
This work is already underway on the Yorke Peninsula.
Silicone coating of around 2,000 insulators, by helicopter
We are applying silicone coating to around 2,000 insulators, by helicopter. This approach, effectively used in Western Australia for around 30 years, is effective in prolonging asset performance by 3 – 5 years. It is an effective and efficient way to treat assets which will be replaced as part of broader network rebuilds planned within the coming years.
Scoping will commence in June 2026. We will communicate directly with landowners and stakeholders as further details become available and will be providing updated community information - including schedules - through various channels, including our website.
Planned outages
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 it for granted.
Where planned outages are necessary, we will provide advance notice, and we will 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, work to minimise impacts, and remediate land if required.
Outages are not likely to be required for silicone coating work.
Customers will be contacted directly in advance about upcoming outages through our usual customer communication channels of SMS/email. If you are not subscribed, you can sign up for outage alerts. Outages will also be listed on the Outage Map.
The dates for outages will be confirmed once the work schedule is finalised.