Templestowe network upgrade works

Update (4 February, 2021)

United Energy has now replaced the main areas of underground cable. We have completed this using non-destructive boring methods that have allowed us to have minimal impact on nature strips, footpaths, driveways and roads.

This work has allowed us to re-energise five substations in the area, providing more capacity to supply power to customers. As a result, generators are no longer required in the area and these are now being removed.

Work will continue in the area over the next few weeks as our crews replace the remaining cable.

Our crews have been focused on completing this work quickly and with as little disruption as possible.

We appreciate the patience and understanding of our customers during this work.

Update (11 January, 2021)

United Energy has now installed two generators, which will be used during hot weather to assist with supporting extra demand on the network.

We understand there may be some inconvenience for residents and will only use the generators when necessary.

To assist with today’s hot weather and higher network demand, the generators have been turned on and are expected to operate into this evening.

Crews conducted further work in the area today in preparation for the cable replacement.

8 January 2021

What’s happening on the Templestowe electricity network

On 25 December 2020, a fault on the electricity network affected power to about 250 customers in Templestowe.

While power was restored quickly, crews identified the power outage occurred due to a short circuit on an underground cable.

Crews have conducted repair work, however further investigations and testing found that 1.5 kilometres of the underground cable in several sections along Beverley Hills Drive, Matisse Drive, and Bali Hi Boulevard will need to be replaced to ensure that power can be delivered reliably and safely to the community.

What we are doing to fix the problem

We have responded quickly and are working to replace the cables. We have brought on extra resources to conduct the work.

Planning is almost complete and construction work is scheduled to begin 11 January, 2021. The replacement is complex as the cables are directly buried in rocky terrain, and it is expected the work will take at least six weeks.

In the meantime, United Energy is supplying about 550 customers via different sections of the local network.

The sections of the network now supplying this area have reached capacity. This means when temperatures reach the high 30s and above and customers use more electricity to stay comfortable, it can place pressure on the power network that may lead to outages.

We are minimising the potential for these outages and keeping power reliable by:

• Upgrading infrastructure to support the extra demand on the network; and
• Installing two generators that will be turned on when temperatures reach 29 degrees.

This installation of temporary generators will be completed on the weekend of 9-10 January, ahead of upcoming hot weather.

What you can do to assist

While we are doing the work needed to keep our network reliable, we are also asking customers to take some simple steps to help reduce demand on the local network during hotter days.

The top five tips for improving energy efficiency are:

• Pre-cool your home in the morning, before the hotter temperatures arrive.
• Set your air conditioner to around 24 to 26 degrees. Depending on the size of your home, a one degree change can save 10% on cooling costs.
• Turn off appliances at the plug when you’re not using them. Standby power can account for more than 3% of your energy bill.
• Keep rooms shaded from the sun and heat with curtains or blinds.
• Use dishwashers or washing machines in the morning or at off-peak times in the evening.
• Air dry laundry rather than use clothes dryers.

Customers who are vulnerable, elderly or depend on electricity for their health should continue using electricity as normal.
If an outage does occur, our crews will respond as quickly and safely as possible to restore power.

Keeping you informed

As we complete these critical works to upgrade your local network, there will be some temporary disruptions to roads and power supplies.

Minimising disruptions as much as possible is a big priority for us and we will work closely with impacted residents and businesses during the delivery of these works. We will also provide you with advance notice ahead of any planned outages.

We will continue updating customers, via this website, as we conduct repair work.

For further information, call us on 1300 131 689.
For electrical faults and emergencies, call us on 13 20 99.
For a telephone interpreter, call 13 14 50.