Victorian Network Operator to Charge Itself Same Fees to Access Power Poles in EV Charging Trial

Strategic Insights -

A Victorian network operator, CitiPower, Powercor, and United Energy (CPU), has been given a waiver from the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) to install and own 100 pole-mounted electric vehicle (EV) chargers across its Melbourne network. The trial, which will begin in the coming weeks, aims to provide kerbside EV charging options for residents living in suburbs without off-street parking. CPU will lease access to the chargers to retailers, who will be the public-facing operators. The operator will charge itself the same fees it levies on others to access power poles, and will also share data with the AER on the chargers' usage and the impact on the network.

Key Takeaways:

  • CPU has been granted a waiver to install and own 100 pole-mounted EV chargers across its Melbourne network.
  • The trial is conditional on the $1.2 million cost having no bill impacts on customers in the CPU networks.
  • CPU will lease access to the chargers to retailers, who will be the public-facing operators.
  • The operator will charge itself the same fees it levies on others to access power poles.
  • CPU must also share data with the AER on the chargers' usage and the impact on the network, including how the chargers are used and the way that affects the network in terms of power quality or voltage deviations, to outage frequency and the types of faults the chargers are incurring.
  • The trial has been criticized by Evie Networks CEO Chris Mills, who said that allowing monopoly networks to compete with their own customers creates insurmountable structural advantages that no private operator can match.
  • The AER has attached conditions to the waiver, including that at least five of the chargers must be vehicle-to-grid chargers.
  • CPU must publicly reveal the fees that it charges to third parties for pole access and the terms of access.

Statistics:

  • 100 pole-mounted EV chargers will be installed across the CPU Melbourne network.
  • The trial will cost $1.2 million.
  • CPU will share data on the chargers' usage and the impact on the network with the AER every year.
  • At least five of the chargers must be vehicle-to-grid chargers.
  • The trial is expected to run for five years, with the first 10 trial sites operating before the end of 2025 and the remaining 90 delivered in 2026.

Sources:

  • AER (2022) CitiPower, Powercor, and United Energy Limited
  • Reuters (2022) Australian Energy Regulator grants waiver for electric vehicle charging trial
  • Renew Economy (2022) AER approves CitiPower's kerbside EV charger trial with conditions