Replacing and upgrading our assets - tell us what you think.
Our network of poles and wires is the oldest in Australia, built in the 1950s and 1970s. That’s up to 70 years ago! Not surprisingly, parts are now reaching the end of their working lives. To ensure we continue to safely supply reliable power to the 900,000 homes and business we service in SA, 38% of our proposed capital works program over 2020 – 2025 is dedicated to replacing and updating our ageing network assets.
In its recent Draft Decision, the AER has proposed we spend 20% less in the next five years on replacing ageing assets than we did from 2015-2020.
We don’t believe this is sustainable for a network of the scale and age of South Australia’s and it will make it more difficult to maintain reliability and safety. It also will push increasing costs on to customers in the future.
Had the AER accepted our proposal in full for a measured ongoing replacement of ageing assets, it would add about $3 per annum to the bill of a residential customer.
We have been talking to stakeholders about the Draft Decision and recently, we took a group of stakeholders on a tour around Adelaide to show them first-hand some of our ageing assets and why we need to replace and update them.
What do you think about our proposed asset replacement program, which helps us to keep the lights on for all South Australians? We want to hear your thoughts! Comment below.
