Substation upgrades

Upgrading our network to support growth and development

We’re focused on providing reliable electricity supply as we continue to invest in the upgrade of electricity infrastructure leveraging the latest technology to build a safer, reliable and more resilient network.

Substation upgrades are a fundamental part of ensuring that our power supply remains dependable and cost-effective. With the rise in renewable energy sources, coupled with the usage of electric vehicles, it's essential that our power grid is equipped to support the increased demand.

Substation upgrades are driven by,

The demand for electricity is growing due to population increases and new technological developments. Upgrades are necessary to accommodate this increased demand.
Upgrades enhance the reliability and stability of the power grid, helping to prevent outages and ensure a consistent supply of electricity.
Modernisation and efficiency are improved through equipment upgrades, which enhance the overall performance of the power grid.
The capacity of the network to handle new renewable energy sources and technologies is increased through these upgrades.

The process of upgrading a substation can take several forms. It may involve increasing the capacity of existing substations to handle more power, known as capacity upgrades. Alternatively, new substations may need to be constructed in high-demand areas or to diversify the power supply. Equipment upgrades also play a significant role, with old equipment being replaced with newer, more efficient models.

In areas anticipating significant future development, temporary mobile electricity stations are sometimes established. These can meet the expected electricity needs of future developments for up to ten years, thereby delaying the necessity for a permanent substation. The establishment of these stations involves site preparation, connecting the temporary station to the power grid, transporting the mobile station to the site, and installing new wires.

Important considerations during the outage

If you’re a life support customer please activate your back-up plan immediately. If you are not currently registered for life support and require power for the use of medical devices please call 131 003 to commence the registration process.
Once power supply is lost, automatic garage doors will not open. It is always good to know how to manually open, close and safely secure your garage door in case of a loss of power.
Some of the trucks used to repair electricity infrastructure are large and we may be forced to park across driveways to enable safe access to complete the work required. Talk to our crew when they arrive onsite if you need access to your vehicle, they will work with you to find a suitable time.
In rural areas loss of power often results in loss of water. If you require power for water pumps at your property please consider alternate power generation (I.e. Petrol generators) or alternate water supplies for the duration of the outage.
Should there be adverse weather, the job may be rescheduled to another date – we know this is difficult where customers have made alternative arrangements, however our crew is unable to work on live wires during heavy rain or very strong winds.

What to expect when our teams are onsite

When a substation is upgraded or installed, customers can expect a variety of activities to take place depending on the size of the work being undertaken.

New Substation Installations

The process will begin with site preparation and construction work, which may involve site clearing, civil works, and the installation of conduits, and trenching. Transformer bunds, concrete, and footings may also be prepared on the substation site. Some poles may be replaced, and in certain sections, overhead wires will be placed underground. This will involve excavation work to enable access and installation.

For large upgrades and new installations, the construction process is lengthy although power outages (if required) will be minimal. Where power outages are required, affected customers will be notified by SMS or in writing in advance.

Road users might experience occasional disruptions due to the work. Traffic control measures will be enforced as necessary, and any affected residents will receive advanced notice of construction activities near their property. Measures will be put in place to limit disruption as much as possible.

Existing Substation Upgrades

Smaller substation maintenance and upgrades are more common and typically take one day to complete. A planned outage is necessary for the safe installation of new equipment.

During this work you will see Endeavour Energy teams, trucks, and equipment. There will be some noise and dust, however we’ll make every effort to keep this to a minimum.

Some equipment may be stored on footpaths and nature strips ahead of installation and when our team is undertaking work, access to street parking and footpaths may be restricted. Access to driveways will be maintained wherever possible unless otherwise arranged with the occupants.

In some instances, traffic control may be needed to maintain the safety of both workers and the community. When work is immediately in front of your property, please be mindful of where you place your bins for collection to avoid disruption to your garbage service.

Outage Hints and Tips:

Protect your personal safety, electrical equipment and improve your outage experience by following these helpful tips:

try to keep your fridge and freezer closed as much as possible to avoid food spoiling
switch off any electronic equipment and disconnect it from the power outlet prior to the interruption. This includes items such as computers, printers, internet modems & routers, media players, television sets and electronic timers
switch off three phase motors such as air conditioners and garage doors
recharge or replace batteries for portable devices such as mobile phones, tablets, radios and torches
do not arrange for electrical work to be undertaken within your premises during the outage
if you have solar panels, check your system is restored once the outage is complete. Not all solar inverters will switch back on automatically.
once your power has been switched off, remember any automatic/electric door (garage doors etc.) will not operate, so it is good to move your car out before the planned outage, or understand how to use the manual override.
in rural areas loss of power often results in loss of water. If you require power for water pumps at your property please consider alternate power generation (I.e. Petrol generators) or alternate water supplies for the duration of the outage.
gas powered stoves and hot water systems rely on electricity supply in order to ignite, you therefore will not have these available during the planned outage.
your NBN internet and home phone service will not be available without your electricity supply (unless backup infrastructure has been installed), so please make alternate arrangements
don’t turn any electric appliances on during your planned outage and leave them on, as often they will turn on when supply is restored and you least expect it
consider purchasing an uninterrupted power supply (UPS) connected to any critical devices which may be required during a planned outage
a USB power bank may provide backup to charge any USB devices (phones etc) during a planned outage
our construction works often require road closures. This could affect bus routes on the day of the works, so please be across any potential impacts to your commute
please be aware that we may be working in your street on days scheduled for your bin pickup. If possible, try to place bins in a location that they can be picked up.

Questions or concerns

For further information about Endeavour Energy or outages in your area speak with our team on 131 003 or reach out using Facebook or Twitter.