Thousands of Bathurst homes without power

AFTER a morning in the dark, power was restored to homes in the West Bathurst area shortly after 10am.

Essential Energy regional manager South Eastern, Phillip Green, said a suspected lightning strike caused a fault on the high voltage electricity network.

“Network protection equipment operated shortly before 9am shutting off power to the affected area,” Mr Green said.

“Crews from Bathurst Depot were immediately despatched to investigate the cause of the fault.

“After patrolling the powerline and deeming the area to be safe, crews restored power to customers at 10.19am.”

In a statement released on Monday afternoon Essential Energy thanked residents for their patience and reminded the community to be careful around the electricity network during storms.

If you see a fallen powerline stay at least eight metres away and call Essential Energy's supply interruptions team on 13 20 80 to report any damage.

EARLIER

As a massive storm rolled across the central west this morning the lights went out at homes and businesses across Bathurst.

Essential Energy spokesperson Simone Reading said the "unplanned supply interruption" occurred around 9am.

"We have a fault on the high voltage electricity network," she said. 

"It is affecting the power supply to approximately 2616 customers in parts of Bathurst, West Bathurst and Llanarth."

Essential Energy crews are patrolling the powers lines to identify the cause of the fault.

Customers can call 13 20 80 for updates.