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Bass Strait cable repair faces delays

Rough weather could push back the completion date for repairs to a Bass Strait electricity cable, operators warn.

the frothy ocean waters of Bass Strait
Rough weather could push back the completion date for repairs to a Bass Strait electricity cable. (AAP)

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Source: AAP


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The operators of a Bass Strait electricity cable have warned that rough weather could blow out the forecast completion date for repairs.

In their latest update, Basslink are sticking by their mid-June estimate for when the cable will come back on line.

"However the timeline may need to be revised if poor weather extends past allocated contingency days," the company said in a statement.

Basslink is partway through replacing a section of cable which was damaged by unknown means, putting the connector out of service in December.

Poor weather conditions across Victoria have closed the Port of Geelong, leaving a repair vessel unable to make a scheduled trip to Bass Strait.

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Gale force warnings are in place for Wednesday when the ship will again be stuck in port.

"Bad weather or rough sea state can damage the cable, result in abortive jointing works or pose unnecessary occupational, health and safety risks for the repair crew," Basslink said.

There are still two joins to be completed and each requires at least six continuous clear days of weather to complete.

The cable outage comes at a time when Tasmania's hydro-electric dam levels are low due to lack of rain and the state government has brought in diesel-powered generators to meet supply demands.


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