Double the height, 160 times the voltage. The latest ugly side effect of the AI revolution
Electricity distributor Jemena has been replacing 7-metre wooden power poles with 15-metre industrial poles rated to carry up to 66,000 volts, but there's been one consistent complaint among the residents where this is happening.
Melbourne residents woke up to towering 15-metre power poles recently, sparking outrage over their sudden appearance. These poles, more than twice the height of previous wooden ones, can transmit electricity at 66,000 volts, 160 times the voltage previously used in the area. The power distributor, Jemena, announced the installation was to support Melbourne's growing energy needs, primarily for a nearby data centre.
However, many residents were unaware of the change and felt blindsided by the installation. Some residents protested by blocking equipment needed for the installation. State Labor MP Katie Hall acknowledged the residents' frustration and called for stricter regulations on data centre development, including a ban on residential areas and a mandatory 150-metre buffer zone from homes.
Despite these proposed changes, some residents believe the new rules are too late to address the existing issues.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
