United Energy Wood Pole Management

United Energy Pole Management report release

With public and environmental safety as its highest priority, Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) has released a draft report into United Energy’s Wood Pole Management practices.

Background

Power pole management practice is an ESV compliance and enforcement priority. The investigation and delivery of ESV’s report into United Energy’s wood pole management practices follows similar investigations into the practices of AusNet Services and Powercor. ESV has committed to undertaking a review of the wood pole management practices across Victorian distribution Major Electricity Companies (MECs).

This draft report into the Wood Pole Management policies and practices of United Energy provides a summary of the detailed technical review undertaken by ESV, including:

• objectives of the investigation, and
• key findings and their implications

Read or download the report here:

DRAFT Report - Review of United Energy wood pole management practices

pdf 1.06 MB

Public consultation

ESV is committed to providing an opportunity for the Victorian public to comment on its investigations into the management of wood poles. This is an important step in providing community confidence in the safety of the electricity distribution network across Victoria.

Please note: the public consultation period has closed.

Next steps

ESV will review all submissions received, update the report as deemed appropriate and publish a final report.

All submissions and comments received by ESV in relation to this consultation are considered public documents and will be published on ESV’s website. Any personal information contained in the submissions will be redacted to protect the privacy of individuals.

Timeline

Resources

• United Energy Pole Management Report for consultation:

  DRAFT Report - Review of United Energy wood pole management practices

  pdf 1.06 MB

• Public Consultation:

  United Energy Pole Management draft report_Public consultation form

  pdf 300.93 KB

Progress report on wooden power pole interventions – August 2022

Implementation of ESV recommendations

Powercor is increasing the safety of its wooden power pole population by implementing the recommendations of ESV’s investigation into the sustainability of its wood pole inspection and maintenance practices.

Powercor is required to report quarterly to ESV on its progress in meeting key delivery targets for pole interventions, set-out in its bushfire mitigation plan. This includes both pole replacement and reinforcement

As at August 2022, Powercor reported delivery of 3,462 pole interventions year-to-date against an annual target of 6,930.

If Powercor continues to work to its current delivery plan, it can meet the annual target.

ESV will continue to monitor Powercor’s progress against its plan.

If Powercor fails to meet its annual commitment at year end then ESV may take enforcement action.