New transmission provider to deliver more choice and better service for Victoria

Major customers now have more choice when building and connecting transmission assets in western Victoria, with leading electricity distributor Powercor granted a transmission licence.

The Essential Services Commission approved Powercor’s licence application this month after extensive stakeholder and community consultation.

The licence allows Powercor to design and build new terminal station infrastructure within its current distribution footprint across western, central, and northern Victoria.

Powercor’s Chief Executive Officer, Tim Rourke, said the ESC’s decision was a great outcome for Victorians and would provide significant benefits for renewable energy proponents and large commercial businesses.

“Our entry into the transmission market means more competition, lower prices and better service for customers,” Mr Rourke said.

“Providing quick and easy power connections for major businesses and clean energy projects is critical as Victoria competes nationally and globally to attract investment and jobs.

“We’ve already received strong interest from major customers, showing that another provider in the market was needed.”

Powercor will offer design and construction services for new terminal station infrastructure, including 220kV lines, for customer-related projects to enable them to easily connect to the transmission network. These projects could include large-scale solar and wind generation, battery storage, data centres and commercial and industrial businesses. In addition, Powercor will own, operate and maintain any necessary upgrades to the transmission system.

Powercor will not be building large transmission line corridors.

“We will offer a better experience to major customers, accelerating investment in strategic growth corridors and delivering benefits for regional communities,” Mr Rourke said.

“We have a strong understanding of what is involved in delivering transmission projects, from the technical requirements through to the relevant legal and regulatory framework as well as the stakeholder engagement needs.

“We are ready now to speak with customers about their transmission needs.”

Powercor already owns and operates one of the lowest-cost and most reliable electricity distribution networks in Australia, employing 2,064 people, including 726 field work force, employees and moving power to 930,000 customers across 64% of Victoria. Our distribution network supports more than 2,625MW of large-scale renewable power and is home to four of Victoria’s six Renewable Energy Zones.