Powercor proposes infrastructure upgrades

POWERCOR has published its 2026–31 Draft Regulatory Proposal which outlines plans to upgrade power infrastructure across the Moorabool and Golden Plains regions over a period of five years.

At Ballan, Powercor has proposed a a standalone microgrid, aiming to help the community stay on supply and be separate from the broader power network in a blackout.

“This involves placing permanent generators to act as alternate energy supplies within the boundaries of the town,” a Powercor statement said.

“These will be used if there are faults impacting power to the community. They will provide customers an alternative power supply until crews repair the network and restore power following extreme weather events.”

Also planned are fire-resistant poles, flood-proofing infrastructure and more.

“Our network plays an essential role in our customers’ daily lives so it’s critical that our investments meet their expectations and respond to our changing environment, while keeping costs down,” said Powercor general manager regulation Renate Vogt.

“Our proposal will deliver a stronger network to better withstand extreme weather, a smarter network to manage more electric vehicle charging and a fairer network where all customers have access to reliable power, no matter where they live.”

On the south-west fringe of the Moorabool Shire, in Golden Plains, there are plans to link different areas’ powerlines to feed energy from more than one source. “This includes a new connection to support better reliability in Rokewood, Corindhap and Dereel, so if faults happen on one line, these communities can be powered from the other,” the statement said.

“Currently, Rokewood’s power is supplied from a line that begins at Colac, while Dereel and Corindhap are powered from a Ballarat line.

“The solution involves the installation of three kilometres of new powerline to connect the supplies, the upgrading of 20 kilometres of existing line, along with a range of new automated switches. This will allow for the automated power restoration of the Rokewood, Dereel and Corindhap communities.”