SA Power Networks is the sole
electricity distributor in the state of
South Australia
South Australia (commonly abbreviated as SA) is a state in the southern central part of Australia. It covers some of the most arid parts of the country. With a total land area of , it is the fourth-largest of Australia's states and territories ...
, delivering electricity from high voltage transmission network connection points operated by
ElectraNet
Electranet is a proposed smart electric grid which would allow people to sell electricity into the grid without any artificial caps. It was proposed in an op-ed article Al Gore wrote in a "My Turn" column for ''Newsweek'' in 2006.
Like the inter ...
. It is the successor to the
Electricity Trust of South Australia
The Electricity Trust of South Australia (ETSA) was the South Australian Government-owned monopoly vertically integrated electricity provider from 1946 until its privatisation in 1999.
Precursors Early days (1882–1900)
Charles Todd, an ea ...
.
Ownership
SA Power Networks arose from the split up of the generation, transmission, distribution and retail responsibilities of the former SA Government-owned
Electricity Trust of South Australia
The Electricity Trust of South Australia (ETSA) was the South Australian Government-owned monopoly vertically integrated electricity provider from 1946 until its privatisation in 1999.
Precursors Early days (1882–1900)
Charles Todd, an ea ...
and its subsequent privatisation in 1999. The distribution business is owned by the Hong Kong-based
Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings
CK Infrastructure Holdings Limited (CKI), is the largest publicly listed infrastructure company in Hong Kong with diversified investments in energy infrastructure, transportation Infrastructure, water Infrastructure and infrastructure related ...
[ (51%), and ]Spark Infrastructure
Spark Infrastructure Group is an Australian investment fund which owns and manages a portfolio of electricity infrastructure assets.
Spark's principal investments are 49% stakes in both SA Power Networks and Victoria Power Networks; as well a ...
(49%). SA Power Networks is structured as a partnership of CKI Utilities Development Limited, PAI Utilities Development Limited, each incorporated in the Bahamas; and
Spark Infrastructure SA (No. 1) Pty Ltd,
Spark Infrastructure SA (No. 2) Pty Ltd, and
Spark Infrastructure SA (No. 3) Pty Ltd, each incorporated in Australia.
Regulated electricity distribution
SA Power Networks operates its electricity distribution business under a licence granted by the Government of South Australia
The Government of South Australia, also referred to as the South Australian Government, SA Government or more formally, His Majesty’s Government, is the Australian state democratic administrative authority of South Australia. It is modelled o ...
.
The business is subject to regulation by the Australian Energy Regulator
The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) is the regulator of the wholesale electricity and gas markets in Australia. It is part of the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission and enforces the rules established by the Australian Energy Market C ...
and Essential Services Commission of South Australia {{Use dmy dates, date=November 2019
The Essential Services Commission of South Australia (ESCOSA) is the independent economic regulator established by the State Government of South Australia, to regulate prescribed essential utility services suppli ...
. Regulation of the business primarily relates to establishing service standards and setting the revenue required to meet those standards cost efficiently.
SA Power Networks is the fifth largest electricity distributor in the Australian National Electricity Market
The National Electricity Market (NEM) is an arrangement in Australia's electricity sector for the connection of the electricity transmission grids of the eastern and southern Australia states and territories to create a cross-state wholesale elec ...
(NEM). It has consistently ranked as the most efficient distributor on a State-wide basis in the NEM.
Other business activities
SA Power Networks also competes in the un-regulated energy market through its wholly owned business Enerven, which provides infrastructure construction and maintenance services to industry and government.
SA Power Networks has employed former politician Nick Bolkus
Nick Bolkus (born 17 July 1950) is a former Australian Labor Party politician. He was a member of the Senate from July 1981 to June 2005, representing the state of South Australia.
Early career
Bolkus was born in Adelaide and educated at Adela ...
as their lobbyist in South Australia.
See also
* Australian Energy Market Operator
* Electricity Trust of South Australia
The Electricity Trust of South Australia (ETSA) was the South Australian Government-owned monopoly vertically integrated electricity provider from 1946 until its privatisation in 1999.
Precursors Early days (1882–1900)
Charles Todd, an ea ...
* National Electricity Market
The National Electricity Market (NEM) is an arrangement in Australia's electricity sector for the connection of the electricity transmission grids of the eastern and southern Australia states and territories to create a cross-state wholesale elec ...
* Spark Infrastructure
Spark Infrastructure Group is an Australian investment fund which owns and manages a portfolio of electricity infrastructure assets.
Spark's principal investments are 49% stakes in both SA Power Networks and Victoria Power Networks; as well a ...
References
External links
SA Power Networks website
Spark Infrastructure website
SA Power Networks inverters promise flexible solar exports, 7 Oct 2020
{{EnergySA
Companies based in Adelaide
Electric power distribution network operators in Australia