The past six years have shown that extreme heat and other weather events leading to unplanned power outages pose a significant risk to communities, especially those who depend on life-support medical equipment. These outages endanger lives, disrupt homes and businesses, and expose gaps in emergency preparedness. ​

Endeavour Energy has co-lead a national Energy Charter initiative with other electricity network operators across the country to develop improved customer tools to prepare for power outages, particularly customers with disabilities and those relying on medical equipment in their homes.​

The initiative’s community-first approach was guided by feedback from over 200 individuals with lived experience, as well as professionals across health, disaster resilience, and energy sectors. This collaboration ensured that resources were not only user-friendly but also aligned with real-world needs.​

The core of the initiative are two microsites: lifesupport.poweroutageplan.com.au for people using medical devices, and poweroutageplan.com.au for the general public. These platforms provide tailored planning tools, including interactive checklists, and instructional videos to support individuals in making informed decisions about emergency preparedness and backup power solutions.​

Resources are available in multiple accessible formats: AUSLAN, plain English, easy read, various community languages, and with First Nations design principles. This ensures that people from all backgrounds, including those with additional communication needs, can engage with and benefit from these tools.​

The initiative aims to reduce customer distress related to outages and build stronger relationships with customers by providing them with tools that directly address their concerns. Longer term, this initiative will create more energy resilient communities through increased awareness and preparedness.​

For more information, visit  www.endeavourenergy.com.au/outages/power-outage-plan