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:
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
Date | Activity |
---|---|
07 Sep 2022 | Public consultation period opens |
05 Oct 2021 | Public consultation period closes |
29 Oct 2022 | ESV publishes submissions and its response to submissions on the ESV website |
2023 | ESV publishes submissions and its response to submissions on the ESV website. ESV publishes the FINAL report into United Energy Wood Pole Management |
Resources
- United Energy Pole Management Report for consultation:
DRAFT Report - Review of United Energy wood pole management practices
- Public Consultation:
United Energy Pole Management draft report_Public consultation form
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.
Date: 05/02/2023 23:34
Controlled document
The currency and accuracy of this document cannot be guaranteed once printed or saved to a storage device. If in doubt, please check the ESV website for the current version.
Reviewed 29 January 2023