Major power suppliers have stepped up their efforts to get all bushfire hit clients back on line.
Powercor and Ausnet are two of the major Victorian power utilities working overtime this week to get supply back to clients following devastating bushfires that destroyed more than 700 buildings including 218 homes along with a raft of utility infrastructure.
Harcourt
Electricity supplier Powercor has announced it has restored power to most customers in fire‑affected communities where it is safe to do so.
About 36 customers in the Harcourt fire area remain without power due to extensive damage to electricity infrastructure on Mount Alexander.
With the fire still active on the mountain, crews have not yet been able to safely begin repairs on the line that also supplies the local communications tower.
Powercor says it is working closely with emergency authorities and will start repairs as soon as it’s safe to access the site. This work will include replacing nine poles and installing new lines.
Western Victoria
Since January 9, teams have replaced more than 270 poles, installed hundreds of kilometres of powerlines and other electrical infrastructure to restore power to areas impacted by the Natimuk, Skipton, Harcourt, Cobram, Meredith and Otways fires.
Powercor will continue repairing damaged infrastructure across these regions over coming weeks. The company advises customers that have returned home and are still without power to contact Powercor on 13 24 12.
Emergency response vehicles and community support teams were in Castlemaine and Skipton on January 14, providing assistance to residents affected by recent outages.
While supply is now expected to be restored to all areas, Powercor says some customers may need to conduct repairs on their private properties before they can reconnect to the network.
Customers returning to their properties are advised to make sure it’s safe before turning on appliances as water or fire may have affected electrical equipment. Powercor will also be waiving reconnection fees for properties affected by these bushfires.
AusNet is also prioritising power restoration for homes and businesses across large areas of northern Victoria near the border at Walwa and the Longwood bushfire-affected regions.
Ausnet strike teams will continue to assess and restore power as quickly and safely as possible and this would require rebuilding the network in areas that are severely impacted, it said in a statement
Walwa region
Ausnet has been restoring power for customers progressively over the past few days and our goal is to restore power to all customers in this area by the end of the weekend.
It has had a generator powering the Corryong township since Sunday, 11 January. with 648 customers in this area without power as of Thursday Jan 15.
Vegetation crews have been clearing burnt trees and other vegetation to provide a safe working environment for the AusNet’s crews.
Longwood
AusNet crews restored power for around 800 customers in this area since Wednesday and installed mobile generation at Ruffy to power the CFA and the community centre.
They have also conducted aerial inspections of about 90 per cent of the network in this area via helicopters and are working with emergency authorities to get early ground access to bushfire-affected areas.
1,200 customers in this area still without power and Ausnet has identified around 140 poles and other electricity infrastructure that need to be replaced.
We hope to be able to complete all assessments and provide updates to customers, including any estimated restoration times, by the end of the weekend.
We acknowledge that this is a difficult time for many communities and we understand the importance of knowing when power will be restored. Our teams are working hard so that people can plan their return to their communities.
AusNet’s Emergency Management Mobile Assistance Vehicles (EMMAs) will be located in bushfire-affected community areas to provide information and support, help people charge their devices and to access the internet to check in with family and friends.
Prolonged Power Outage Payment
The Victorian and Federal Governments are providing financial relief to households impacted by the January 2026 bushfires and heatwave.
Subject to specific eligibility criteria, residential customers without power for seven cumulative days 7 January 2026 will be eligible for $2,380 per week for up to three weeks.
AusNet will directly contact all customers who are eligible for this Prolonged Power Outage Payment, inviting them to apply.
Further information on eligibility and how to apply for the PPOP is available on AusNet’s website:
