Electricity distributors operate and maintain the energy infrastructure throughout Victoria, including the poles, wires and stations that deliver power to your home. Victoria has the greatest number of distributors in the country – five electricity distribution networks and three gas distributors.
This article explains the role of each of the five electricity distributors in Victoria, as well as any relevant information about the company. We’ll also cover the basics of what a distributor is responsible for, which can be handy if you ever need to get in contact.
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What is an electricity distributor?
An electricity distributor is responsible for maintaining the energy infrastructure that supplies low-voltage electricity to homes and businesses in a particular area. Energy distributors also look after powerlines, poles and substations within their designated zone, otherwise known as a distribution region.
Most electricity in Australia is formed by large, centralised generators – such as coal-fired stations, gas stations and wind turbines. Once this electricity is produced, it is then converted to high-voltage and transported via transmission networks. The high-voltage electricity is then converted to a lower voltage, which enables it to be supplied to homes and businesses across the network using poles, powerlines and substations.
Electricity distributors are generally unseen and are only contacted in cases of power outages, fallen powerlines or an issue with a property’s supply of electricity.
Simply put, Victorian electricity distributors:
Do: |
Do not: |
|---|---|
| Manage shared electricity infrastructure | Issue electricity bills |
| Repair damage to the network and restore power after outages | Construct or repair individual premise connections |
| Propose peak, off-peak and shoulder tariffs | Repair electrical faults not related to the shared network |
| Maintain streetlights | Provide metering services |
Victorian electricity plans
Compare a range of electricity plans using Canstar’s comparison tool for specific quotes based on postcode.
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Citipower network in Melbourne but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Jemena network in Sunbury but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the United Energy network in Frankston but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Powercor network in Bareena but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the AusNet network in Warragul but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Who are the electricity distributors?
As previously mentioned, there are five electricity distributors in Victoria: CitiPower, Jemena, Powercor, AusNet Services and United Energy. It is important to note that the energy rates and tariffs can vary between distribution zones. For example, the price a customer pays for power living on the CitiPower network in Hawthorne will differ from the price paid by somebody living on the Jemena network in Footscray.
- For more information on electricity distribution companies in Victoria, read Canstar’s helpful guide on the Victorian Default Offer (VDO).
CitiPower
Those who live in central Melbourne and its inner suburbs will most likely be on the CitiPower distribution network. The CitiPower network, in partnership with Powercor, supplies approximately 1.2 million customers with electricity. Visit its website for more information.
According to the Australian Energy Regulator (AER), only 24% of its customers’ energy bills are made up of distribution costs, as compared with up to 50% in other states. CitiPower has a strong focus on network performance, planning and maintenance.
Customers can use the CitiPower website to report outages, damage to power poles and streetlights. You can contact CitiPower to request an electricity connection via its online portal called ‘eConnect’, plus report any hazards like trees getting too close to powerlines.
Contact CitiPower
- Supply faults: 13 12 80
- General enquiries: 1300 301 101
Jemena 
Jemena supplies electricity to more than 370,000 homes and businesses in North West Melbourne. Some of the suburbs within the Jemena electricity distribution network include: Clarkefield, Footscray, Gisborne South, Roxburgh Park and Tullamarine. According to Jemena’s website, its electrical network is powered via a 6,800-kilometre system, which includes the maintenance and upkeep of 78,500 streetlights.
The Jemena network also takes care of service pit installations, new connections, disconnections and alterations. Visit its website for more information.
According to Jemena, its infrastructure is worth more than $12.4 billion, with over 100 years’ experience in the utilities sector. Jemena also owns Jemena Gas Network, one of Victoria’s largest natural gas pipeline networks, among other gas pipes around Australia. Furthermore, Jemena owns 34% of fellow Victorian distributor, United Energy.
Contact Jemena
- Faults and emergencies: 131 626
- General enquiries: 1300 131 871
Powercor
Powercor supplies electricity across 64% of Victoria, including the western suburbs of Melbourne, central and western Victoria, Melbourne’s CBD and inner suburbs. Its network consists of a region in excess of 145,000 square kilometres, servicing more than 843,000 customers via 588,000 poles.
Like Citipower, Powercor is owned by CK Infrastructure Holdings, Power Assets Holdings and Spark Infrastructure. Powercor is the largest electricity distributor in Victoria, spanning from West Melbourne to rural western Victoria.
People living on the Powercor grid can report outages, damage to infrastructure, fallen powerlines or faulty streetlights. Powercor can be contacted via its website or enquiries hotline.
Contact Powercor
- Faults and emergencies: 13 24 12
- General enquiries: 13 22 06
AusNet Services
AusNet Services is an electricity and gas distributor, servicing eastern Victoria as well as the outer northern and eastern suburbs of Melbourne. For customers living in Morwell, Packenham, Phillip Island, Sale and Warragul, you’ll be likely be connected to the AusNet Services.
The company distributes electricity to more than 802,000 customers via almost 39,000 kilometres of overhead powerlines and 418,000 poles. In addition to its distribution portfolio, AusNet is also responsible for electricity transmission, with some 13,000 towers and 6,620 kilometres of high-voltage transmission powerlines.
Customers can visit AusNet Services’ website or call the general enquiries contact number for electricity, gas and solar connections. Power outages, faults and emergencies can be reported via the faults and emergencies number below.
Contact AusNet Services
- Faults and emergencies: 13 17 99
- General enquiries: 1300 360 795
United Energy
United Energy powers homes and businesses in southern Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula. Areas on the United Energy network include Aspendale, Bentleigh, Endeavour Hills, Frankston and Rosebud.
United Energy claims it’s about more than just ‘poles and wires’, stating it aims at keeping its network safe and reliable for customers. Distributing electricity to more than 700,000 customers, United Energy manages a network of 215,000 poles and 13,000 kilometres of wires.
Like the other distributors in Victoria, United Energy can be contacted for electricity connections, power outages and reporting hazards such as downed powerlines. Customers can access an outage map on its website, plus report streetlight faults.
Contact United Energy
- Faults and emergencies: 13 20 99
- General enquiries: 1300 131 689
Map of Victorian electricity distributors
What does an electricity retailer do?
Energy retailers are different to energy distributors. Energy retailers are in charge of individual energy accounts and power bills. So while an energy distribution network cannot be chosen (unless customers move house), an energy provider can be chosen.
With the free Canstar Blue comparison tool below, you can research available electricity providers in your area and find the best energy deal for your home.
Electricity prices Victoria
Here are some sponsored deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Citipower network in Melbourne but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area and to see other products in our database that may be available. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
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10% Less than VDO |
$1,304 Price/year (estimated) |
Go to Site |
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. Costs are based on the Citipower network in Melbourne but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area and to see other products in our database that may be available. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Original reporting by Kelseigh Wrigley
Image Source: Anton Balazh/Shutterstock.com, Citipower, Jemena, Powercor, Ausnet Services, United Energy, All Round Supplies
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