It’s been a busy and exciting year as we bring the energy to programs and projects that support our customers and communities.
We’re proud of our achievements and actions to fulfil our purpose to connect communities with reliable, affordable and sustainable energy.
EMMAs supporting Victorian communities
Our fleet of Emergency Management Mobile Assistance (EMMA) vehicles served Victorian communities during severe weather events and outages.
EMMAs bring relief and support during and after large-scale, unplanned power outages and give the community access to:
- mobile, tablet, laptop and device charging, in securely locked charging boxes
- inbuilt satellite communications, even if telecommunication networks are not working
- tea and coffee
- a TV for up-to-date outage information and public address systems
- chairs, tables and blankets
- our skilled crew who have information and advice on outage updates and local support facilities.
First standalone community battery supporting Yarra Junction residents
We connected the first stand-alone community battery on our distribution network as part of our Neighbourhood Storage Tariff trial. The 120kW/300kWh battery stores any extra solar power generated from 10am to 3pm each day and then shares it back with the Yarra Junction community during evening peak demand.
It aims to reduce pressure on the grid during peak demand and also give Yarra Junction customers energy bill support.
This project was managed by Indigo Power and funded through the Commonwealth Government's Community Batteries for Household Solar program.
Research and insights about our cultural and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities
With more information going online, we’re thinking about all our communities and the barriers preventing equal access to our information and services.
We have a multi-year roadmap to improve the way we communicate and engage with our CALD communities. We also awarded a $30,000 Vulnerability Research Grant to RMIT University to specifically explore how we can improve communicating with CALD communities who have limited access to, or struggle with, digital technology.
Together, this gives us a clear roadmap to proactively work towards meaningful CALD communication and engagement, because no one should be left behind in the energy transition.
Energy Resilience Community Fund
We established the Energy Resilience Community Fund (ERCF) in 2024 to provide grants to community and not-for-profit organisations, local councils and essential small businesses to help build and strengthen community energy resilience.
We want to help communities be resilient and recover faster from extreme weather events and other power reliability challenges.
We have provided over $8.3 million in grants or donations to 100 recipients across 18 local government areas in our electricity distribution network.
The projects and initiatives funded will work to build their energy resilience and help customers stay connected and safe during prolonged outages and emergencies.
For details, go to Energy Resilience Community Fund.
Golden Plains Wind Farm - a glimpse into a cleaner energy future
12 months ago we finalised building the first stage of the connection of the Golden Plains Wind Farm to the Victorian transmission network, which was delivered ahead of schedule and on budget.
This is one of the most ambitious and technologically advanced renewable energy projects in Australia. The next stage is underway and when complete, will power 750,000 homes a year.
Regional traineeship program
We’re supporting Victoria’s energy future by creating meaningful careers in our communities and building the skills needed to meet renewable energy and emissions targets.
This year, nine trainees started our three-year program with face-to-face learning, building strong professional networks and hands-on experience. Graduates will gain a nationally recognised Advanced Diploma of ESI – Power Systems and a clear pathway into a permanent role.
If you’d like to play a part in Australia’s transition to net zero, visit our careers page.