Networks Welcome Coalition's Study On Burying Power Lines--study Must Dig Deep

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3rd February 2010, 08:07pm - Views: 751





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Energy Networks Association Limited (ABN 75 106 735 406)

Level 3,40 Blackall Street BARTON  ACT  2600

T 


Media Release—for immediate distribution

Wednesday, 3 February 2010

Networks welcome Coalition’s study on burying power lines—but

study must dig deep for answers

The Energy Networks Association (ENA) welcomes the Coalition’s announcement of a climate change

strategy based on direct action to reduce emissions and improve our environment. In particular, ENA

welcomes the Coalition’s commitment to allocate $2 million for a major study into the use and

application of underground High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission within Australia.

ENA is the peak national body for Australia’s energy networks which provide the vital link between gas

and electricity producers and consumers. ENA represents gas distribution and electricity network

businesses on economic, technical and safety regulation and national energy policy issues.

Mr Blyth, Chief Executive of ENA, said: ‘ENA recognises that there are a number of potential benefits for

the use of underground HVDC, particularly in relation to transmission over very long distances

(renewable energy) where there is potential for increases in energy efficiency through reduced line

losses’.

ENA believes that the Coalition’s study would benefit greatly by being expanded to investigate the costs

and benefits of undergrounding distribution lines, which are in abundance in the majority of towns and

cities throughout Australia. The last national investigation into the costs and benefits of undergrounding

both transmission and distribution cables occurred over a decade ago (1998 Australian Government

Report: Putting cables underground). 

‘Several past reports have cited benefits for undergrounding distribution lines, such as reduced motor

vehicle collisions with poles, reduced maintenance costs and in some instances improved reliability. In

fact, energy network businesses throughout Australia have been proactive, along with local councils and

developers, in the undergrounding of electricity assets in new developments for over three decades, and

in targeted undergrounding of existing assets’, said Mr Blyth.

Energy networks businesses across Australia currently operate approximately 48 000 kilometres of

transmissions lines and 800 000 kilometres of distribution lines. Mr Blyth said: ‘There are significant cost

and practicality implications that need to be considered when converting any overhead line to an

underground line’.

‘ENA believes a new cost-benefit analysis of the benefits of a well-targeted program of putting cables

underground would be timely and beneficial, especially considering emerging issues such as the rollout

of the National Broadband Network and the ongoing development of smart networks. Given the

significant costs of undergrounding at high voltages, any program needs to be carefully targeted to

identify where the benefits would be sufficiently high to justify the costs’ said Mr Blyth. 

Ends.


Contact:

Andrew Blyth, Chief Executive

phone: 02 6272 1555

web: www.ena.asn.au   |   email: info@ena.asn.au

People Feature Energy Networks Association 3 image


Energy Networks Association Limited (ABN 75 106 735 406)

Level 3,40 Blackall Street BARTON  ACT  2600

T 

+61 2 6272 1555  .  F  +61 2 6272 1566  .  E info@ena.asn.au  .  W www.ena.asn.au

ENA is the peak national body for Australia’s energy networks; and represents gas distribution and electricity

network businesses on economic, technical, environment and safety regulation as well as national energy policy

issues.






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