Energy Safe protects Victorians as energy industry transforms

Published:
Friday 1 November 2024 at 3:06 am

Energy Safe Victoria’s 2023–24 annual report highlights the vital work being done to protect the Victorian community from energy-related risks as the transition to renewable energy continues.

CEO Leanne Hughson said Energy Safe was evolving its capabilities and technology to effectively regulate the rapidly changing energy landscape.

“The fundamental shift in the energy sector is visible everywhere with Victorian households and businesses choosing to drive electric vehicles, invest in solar energy and have their own energy storage systems,” she said.

“We are working to ensure that energy continues to be generated, delivered and stored safely – that includes setting standards for today’s renewable and traditional energy industries, and ensuring the standards are followed.”

Earlier this year legislative amendments enhanced Energy Safe’s powers while markedly increasing the financial penalties for breaches of energy safety laws, with some going up six-fold.

“Electricity and gas are part of our daily lives, but they’re also inherently dangerous so they have to be handled properly, or lives can be put at risk,” Ms Hughson said.

“We believe significant penalties are essential to strengthening energy safety so everyone from big business to tradespeople and members of the public follow the rules.”
Over the past financial year three private households were directed by Energy Safe to disconnect illegal, homemade battery energy and solar energy systems that posed a risk of catching fire or exploding.

Energy Safe also continued its important work preventing one of the biggest threats to the safety of the Victorian community – catastrophic bushfires.

“Victoria is one of the most bushfire-prone areas in the world and a lot of the work we do is to reduce the risk of a fire starting due to electrical infrastructure,” Ms Hughson said.

“Fortunately, there were no significant bushfires over the past financial year however, it’s vital that electricity distribution companies prioritise bushfire mitigation measures every year, or we can take action.”

In May 2024, Energy Safe successfully prosecuted Powercor Australia for a record number of breaches of the Electricity Safey Act 1998 and contravening regulations after it failed to inspect almost 5,000 powerlines, failed to clear vegetation from more than 100 other lines, and failed to clear vegetation near powerlines in Glenmore which resulted in a devastating bushfire.

Energy Safe also brought charges against United Energy over its failure to keep vegetation the minimum distance from powerlines. Altogether 17 prosecutions were finalised in 2023-24, with the courts imposing fines totalling more than $2.3 million.

“The past financial year has shown we must continue to take strong action, maintain a high presence around energy networks and run awareness campaigns to keep the community safe.” Ms Hughson said.

Energy Safe Victoria's 2023-24 annual report is available online at energysafe.vic.gov.au.

Energy Safe. Always.   

Media contact: Jonathan Granger M: 0400 948 934 I media@energysafe.vic.gov.au(opens in a new window) 

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