“The Australian community can be assured that the electricity industry is acutely aware of the need to protect the integrity of the electricity grid. Every reasonable measure has been taken to achieve this, and security arrangements are under constant review by all companies to minimise the chance of any unexpected impact on the infrastructure being successful,” said ESAA chief executive officer Brad Page.

The comments come after the discovery of a plot by a Sydney man to bomb the national electricity grid. The was in the process of ordering large amounts of ammonium nitrate under false company names and has since been charged with a number of terrorism offences including committing an act in preparation for a terrorist attack.

Faheem Khalid Lodhi allegedly also used a false order form to order maps of the grid from the Electricity Suppliers Association.

In this regard Mr Page commented that the industry had been working with State and Commonwealth agencies for some time to ensure that all practical measures are taken to protect the integrity of the electrical system.

Additionally the Commonwealth Government, through the Attorney General’s Department has established a series of Advisory Groups on protecting critical infrastructure, one of which deals with energy.

Also held in Canberra this week was the latest set of bilateral meetings between business and government in Australia and the US on critical infrastructure protection.