Investing capital prudently in our network and systems

We developed our 2020-2025 capex plans with comprehensive input from our customers and stakeholders. Feedback from our customers is that they want us to:

• do our part to keep a lid on prices;
• maintain electricity supply reliability across the State; and
• continue a managed transition to the ‘network of the future’.

DID YOU KNOW?

Pole-plating can extend a Stobie pole’s life by 50% and only costs 15% of replacing a pole!

In 2017, instead of replacing poles at an average cost of $10,000 each, we refurbished around 5,300 poles at an average cost of $1,270 each, saving $46 million in capex!

As we engaged with our customers and stakeholders, they consistently asked us to ‘do more for less’. We have a track record for doing more for less and we plan to continue this into the next regulatory period by continuing the drive for efficiency and delivering better outcomes for our customers at a lower price.

During 2020–2025 we will continue to meet all of our regulatory obligations to maintain the quality, reliability, safety and security of the distribution network; connect or upgrade customers; and improve customer service outcomes. In addition, we propose to deliver targeted improvements in:

• supply reliability for poorly-served customers;
• bushfire risk reduction;
• management of our ageing network assets;
• cyber security protections for customer and business information; and
• enabling the transition to a distributed energy future.

We also have ‘non-network’ expenditure centred around IT, our fleet, property and telecommunications, which all enable our work and ensure we can continue to deliver safe and reliable electricity for South Australians.

Take a look at Chapter 6 of the Draft Plan and let us know your thoughts on our capital expenditure.