Power Supply 'Open to Attack'

The national electricity network is more susceptible to Terrorist attack than grids in the US and Britain, but experts say cars knocking over power poles are a greater risk to supplies.

Anti-Terrorist surveillance has increased since the September 11 attacks, but the network was "skinny" compared with the highly populated regions of North America and Europe, and in danger because it was not fully integrated.

The key assets at risk were substations in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, which energy industry officials yesterday refused to identify on security grounds.

Alan Moran, an energy sector analyst with Melbourne's Institute of Public Affairs, said all the capital cities were vulnerable because most electricity generation took place hundreds of kilometres away from the main demand centres.

"If you look at Melbourne, about two-thirds of its electricity comes from the Latrobe Valley through high-voltage transmission lines," Dr Moran said.

These transmission lines could not be protected 24 hours a day. so they were susceptible to attack.

The situation was similar in other states, he said.

Government and industry representatives held talks with US officials in Canberra last week on critical infrastructure protection, covering communications, energy, financial services, food, health and water.

Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said there was agreement to share information on protection measures for energy, communications and water.

Officials who attended the talks said protection of Australia's energy sector appeared to compare favourably with measures adopted overseas.

Energy Supply Association chief executive Brad Page said the industry routinely dealt with incidents that disrupted supplies to customers.

These included powerlines being brought down through high winds, car crashes and the effect of bushfires on high-voltage lines.

In all states there was a degree of redundant - or surplus - capacity in transformers and transmission equipment that could be brought rapidly into use if parts of the system were damaged, he said.

"Following the September 11 and Bali tragedies, the electricity supply industry has redoubled its efforts to provide the most practical security arrangements possible to prevent a Terrorist attack on the electricity grid," Mr Page said.


See Also:
The Rising Tide of Islamic Fundamentalism (I)
The Rising Tide of Islamic Fundamentalism (II)
The True Meaning of Jihad
The Holy Qur'an Says...
The Myth That Must Die!
Why We Fight!
Calling Evil By Its Name
The 'Fifth Column' Exposed!
How to Survive a Terror Attack