Performance and Plans for the Energex Network
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Performance and plans for the Energex Network A summary of our Distribution Annual Planning Report 2019-20 to 2023-24 for our customers, communities and other stakeholders Purpose Energex’s Distribution Annual 2023-24. It provides insights benefit from significant Planning Report explains how into the key challenges we face electricity supply capability we are continuing to safely and our responses to them, or demand side management and efficiently manage the highlighting the areas where we and non-network initiatives electricity distribution network are seeking to work closely with • identify locations where in South East Queensland. our customers, the community major industrial loads would and different industry partners. This summary outlines the be best located. content in our planning report It provides information to assist This information is also with links to specific chapters interested parties to: supported by our online you can refer to for more • understand how the interactive map of the information. electricity network works electricity network and The full report details the • provide input to the future information provided in our network’s performance in 2018- development of the network Demand Management Plan and Demand Side Engagement 19 and our plans for 2019-20 to • identify locations that would Strategy. Contents Purpose 2 Message from our Executive 3 Our network 4 Our service area 4 What is shaping our plans? 5 Our engagement program 5 Safety first – a no compromise approach 6 Making electricity more affordable 7 The growth in solar energy 8 The changing use of the network 9 Looking at trends in electricity use 10 How is the network performing? Where are we focusing? 11 Last summer the network supplied record demand 11 Did you know 12 Network reliability improved 13 Managing an ageing network 14 Using technology to deliver smarter solutions 15 Major projects 2018-19 16 Finding the best solutions together 17 Sustainability – the future is in an intelligent grid 17 Improving our connection process 17 Demand management and other non-network solutions 18 We are open to exploring the alternatives 19 Our online interactive network map 20 Our belief 21 2 Message from our Executive I am pleased to share this Enabling greater choice and Thanks. summary of Energex’s control You’re part of a bright future Distribution Annual Planning Across the 1,500,000 homes I would like to thank all of the Report for 2019-20 to 2023-24. and businesses connected to customers and other stakeholders Each year we publish our plans the Energex network, many are who have engaged with us on to build on the dialogue we taking greater control over their our plans over the past year, and have with our many different electricity solutions by investing participated in our programs, stakeholders. They cover the in solar and other emerging especially the industry partners key factors shaping our plans, technologies. Our challenge who are central to our demand the current and forecasted in managing the network is to management program and to electricity demand, the state leverage this growing level of enabling network connections. of our networks and service customer-led investment to I look forward to continuing performance trends, as well as improve and complement our to work together as we evolve our investment intentions for the own efficient investment. our investment and operational coming years. In response to this, we have programs to best deliver a bright Many of our customers are developed Future Grid future for Queensland. telling us their primary concern plans anticipating an energy is affordability and that we environment characterised by shouldn’t spend any more than rapid technological change, as is necessary on maintaining, well as ongoing high penetrations operating and upgrading our of renewable energy resources. network. Through the many These factors are shaping our customer advocate groups plans as we work to ensure the Peter Price we engage with, we know this efficient investment in, and Head of Corporate Strategy, means we must work more operational use of, the South Executive General Manager closely together with all of East’s electricity networks for Strategy, Asset Safety and our stakeholders to balance the long-term interests of our Performance affordability with other critical customers and the broader customer and community community. outcomes that need to be achieved. This includes continuing to ensure the safety of the communities we serve across the South East Queensland, including our employees, by managing the risks associated with the electricity network. 3 Our network 246 zone substations Our service area 50,874 distribution transformers Gympie Noosa Nambour Maroochydore Caloundra 690,150 Kilcoy Woodford power poles Toogoolawah Caboolture QUEENSLAND Redcliffe Esk Brisbane Fernvale Gatton Ipswich 35,000km Stapylton overhead powerlines Surfers Paradise Beaudesert 19,700km Boonah underground power cable NEW SOUTH WALES 1,485,000 South East - connected customers Energex Network 4 What is shaping our plans? To ensure we’re meeting the needs of our customers and communities we invest in listening to their expectations, concerns and ideas. We continue to hear that safety should never be compromised and that electricity affordability remains the core overriding concern for many. At the same time, in addition to keeping the lights on, it is clear our customers want greater choice and control around their energy solutions, with a strong interest in renewables and other energy-related technologies. These insights are shaping our plans. Our engagement program To ensure we’re meeting the launched in January 2019, aims unique and diverse needs of our to build accountability across communities and customers, in the supply chain and improve a period where our industry is customer outcomes. undergoing rapid transformation, Through the Energy Charter a coordinated, performance we have agreed to these five measured, multi-channel principles: community and customer engagement program is required. • We will put the customers at the centre of our business and Most recently, our ‘conversations’ the energy system have been used to refine our • We will improve energy overall strategic direction, with affordability for customers the use of a stakeholder issues assessment, to prioritise the • We will provide energy safely, economic, social, environmental sustainably and reliably and governance topics that • We will improve the customer matter most. This process, built experience upon work already undertaken, • We will support customers engages Energex’s network facing vulnerable businesses’ investment plans for circumstances. our 2020-25 Regulatory Proposals and our network tariff reform These efforts help align our future program. thinking with the long-term interests of our customers and We also became one of the first communities. to commit to a national Energy Charter to progress the solutions For more on our engagement required to deliver energy in line program go to: Chapter 3 with customer and community Community and Customer expectations. The Charter, Engagement 5 Safety first - a no compromise approach Safety is considered to be of the safety, leveraging innovative utmost importance by Energex solutions that enable continuous and the community. As our improvement. We’re continuing networks age and the risk of to focus on improving safety in equipment failure towards end- our maintenance and replacement of-life increases, our focus on practices across all asset maintaining safety outcomes categories. We also continue to for our staff, customers and invest in new technology trials communities is paramount. that have the potential to deliver improved, safer or more efficient We are taking a no compromise outcomes for our customers. approach to community and staff 6 Making electricity more affordable Our customers have told us that Our forward investment program, affordability is their primary reaching into the next regulatory concern – for both cost of living period from 2020, remains and business competitiveness. focused on minimising costs to Affordability is more than part customers, while still ensuring of our purpose statement, it is a that we meet the outcomes that fundamental consideration in how our customers expect. Our asset we manage our network. management strategies aim to balance our customers’ need The merger of Energex and Ergon for a safe, secure, and reliable into the Energy Queensland electricity supply, and their desire group has made possible the for this service to be provided implementation of a number of at minimal cost. A key part of savings measures. Since 2016, that process is to optimise the our efforts have delivered over economic benefits of network $510 million in savings – these improvement, while always efficiencies will ultimately flow considering the potential for on to our customers as more non-network solutions, such as affordable electricity. demand management. 7 The growth in solar energy Energex has one of the highest end of June 2019, there were over levels of residential rooftop solar 391,000 systems connected to the energy systems per household distribution network, with a total of any electricity network in generation capacity of 1,664MVA. the world. One in every three We have also supported the detached homes in South East connection of large-scale Queensland have chosen to have renewable energy projects to the a solar energy system installed. network. Almost half of these systems