A REPORT into February’s power supply crisis has provided a timely reminder about the importance of both forward planning and crisis management plans.
The report also provides extraordinary insights into the lack of leadership by former Western Power chief executive Stephen van der Mye.
An independent review committee chaired by former Woodside executive Chris Cronin said deficiencies in forecasting and planning meant Western Power did not anticipate the sustained high demand for electricity during February’s heat wave.
“Those circumstances should have been anticipated, and the consequences could have been avoided,” the report says.
Western Power was found to be ill-equipped to respond to the crisis because it crisis management plan was “outdated and seriously deficient”.
Western Power chairman Neil Hamilton said the board accepted the findings of the review and would move to upgrade its demand forecasts and crisis management planning. The report found Dr van der Mye had virtually no involvement in the decision to impose power restrictions or the management of their consequences.
“The CEO did not attempt to take any part in the decision-making process, which he regarded as a fait accompli,” the report says. “Neither did he attempt to take control of the management of the situation.”
As the crisis was unfolding on Tuesday February 17, Dr van der Mye delayed telling Energy Minister Eric Ripper about the order imposing power restrictions, even though they were together for a previously scheduled meeting. Upon returning to his office, he watched the evening news, then had a long telephone conversation with a consultant on an unrelated matter.
“He did not seek or consider any further information about the order, its likely consequences, or its communi-cation to the public,” the report says.
Dr van der Mye left the office at about 6.45pm for a dinner appointment then went home, leaving his staff to cope with the unfolding crisis.
- Mark Beyer
