Calls for change have been made in the wake of widespread power outages in Victoria. 

Victoria experienced one of its largest-ever power outages last Tuesday, leaving an estimated 1.5 million people without electricity. 

The blackout affected approximately 620,000 homes and businesses, with 530,000 experiencing power loss due to downed powerlines and another 90,000 through load shedding, a measure taken as a last resort to prevent the state's power system from overloading.

The outages were the result of severe weather conditions that swept through the state, including high temperatures, strong winds, and lightning strikes, which led to the toppling of hundreds of powerlines and power poles. 

The situation escalated when six high-voltage transmission towers near Anakie were knocked down by the storm, causing significant disturbances to Victoria's grid and the shutdown of AGL's Loy Yang A power station, a major coal-fired power generator.

This disruption in energy production, compounded by ongoing repairs at the Yallourn Power Station, prompted the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) to instruct Ausnet Services to cut power to 90,000 customers to manage the supply shortfall. 

This led to a spike in energy prices and highlighted the fragile balance of the state's energy network.

Emergency Management Commissioner Rick Nugent has indicated that for some, power might not be restored for up to a week.

The incident has sparked a broader conversation about the resilience of Victoria's power infrastructure. 

Calls have intensified for more of the state's power lines to be buried as a preventative measure against future weather-related disruptions. 

While burying power lines is significantly more expensive and presents its own set of challenges, experts argue that it is a conversation worth having, given the changing climate and the increasing frequency of severe weather events.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has acknowledged the complexity of the issue, but says the current focus remains on restoring power to affected areas. 

Meanwhile, the energy sector is assessing the feasibility and economic implications of transitioning more of the state's power infrastructure underground.