Network reliability

Network planning & projectsNetwork reliability

We’re among the highest performing electricity networks in the country.

Based on the Australian Energy Regulator (AER)’s annual benchmarking both CitiPower and Powercor are among the highest performing electricity networks in Australia.

Our goal is to keep providing a high-quality service to a growing population, while focusing on continuous improvement.

Powercor reliability targets

This rural network services some of the highest bushfire risk areas in the state and between the south and north, great extremes in temperature and climatic conditions.

Covering this wide and diverse region with Australia’s lowest density of customers at 12 per kilometre square, means the network features a range of powerlines – short, long and urban. This is significant when outages occur as it can impact the speed with which our regional teams are able to respond.

The targets for service reliability that have been agreed with the AER and relevant for all forms of powerlines in our region are on this page.

2023/24 TargetsUrbanRural - Short Feeder LineRural - Long Feeder Line
Average number of supply interruptions per year (SAIFI)0.821.152.02
Average minutes off supply – unplanned (SAIDI)69.23104.14240.92
Average minutes off supply – planned *target not set by AER65.9765.9765.97
Number of momentary outages (<=3 minutes) (MAIFI)1.22.54.39
Average length (in minutes) per unplanned interruption (CAIDI) 8491119
Note: The targets are based on average performance across the network therefore some customers may receive a level of service above or below average results.

CitiPower reliability targets

CitiPower distributes electricity with greater than 99.99% reliability.

Supporting the CBD with Australia’s most densely populated customer base, we are required to operate the CitiPower network with contingencies in place so that if unexpected events occur on our major supply lines, then the network has a ‘double backup’ to provide continuous supply to homes and businesses.

Unexpected events might include extreme weather, fires, traffic accidents or infrastructure failures.

The targets for service reliability that have been agreed with the AER and relevant for all forms of powerlines in our region are below.

2023-24 TargetsCBD**Melbourne Urban
Average number of supply interruptions per year (SAIFI)0.110.39
Average minutes off supply – unplanned (SAIDI)8.8528.17
Number of momentary outages (<=3 minutes) (MAIFI)0.0020.19
Average length of unplanned interruption (CAIDI)8272
** Includes Melbourne central business district, East Melbourne, Southbank and parts of North Melbourne and South Melbourne.

Note: The targets are based on average performance across the network therefore some customers may receive a level of service above or below average results.

Guaranteed Service Levels (GSL)

You may be entitled to a GSL payment if we do not meet service standards for supply restoration or reliability. While we make every effort to meet our service guarantees, there may be circumstances where payments are made to our customers.

GSL payments are based on how much time you were without electricity in a year. Payments are automatic and paid quarterly to your retailer who then apply it as a credit to your electricity bill.

The GSL period and payments detailed in the table below apply from July 2023 – June 2024.

Supply restoration events

Supply restoration payments are based on how much time you were without electricity in a year.

Amount
More than 18 hours of unplanned sustained interruptions per year$130
More than 30 hours of unplanned sustained interruptions per year$190
More than 60 hours of unplanned sustained interruptions per year$380
More than 12 hours unplanned sustained interruption on a Major Event Day*$90
*Major event day is an industry term used to indicate abnormal performance in supply reliability due to
events outside our control such as extreme weather and storms

Low reliability events

Low reliability payments are based on the number of times you experience supply outages in a year.

Amount
More than 8 unplanned sustained interruptions per year$130
More than 12 unplanned sustained interruptions per year$190
More than 20 unplanned sustained interruptions per year$380
More than 24 momentary interruptions per year$40
More than 36 momentary interruptions per year$50

Street lighting repairs

$25 if you are the first to report a faulty streetlight immediately neighbouring your residence, or if you are the proprietor of an immediately neighbouring business, and we do not repair the fault within two business days.

Documents and resources