Stand-alone power systems
Stand-alone power systems (SPS) are an exciting new way we’re improving power reliability for regional customers. SPS is an off-grid power solution that works independently of the main electricity grid to store and deliver power to households and small businesses. It uses renewable energy such as solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, battery storage, inverter(s) and a backup diesel generator. Western Power pay for the upfront cost of the unit and any ongoing costs associated with maintenance, faults and replacement. Customers continue to be billed by their retailer at the same unit cost as a grid or network connected property.
In rural and remote areas, customers are serviced by powerlines that stretch over long distances. Using SPS instead of poles and wires on suitable properties and locations has a number of benefits, including:
- Improved power reliability: as power is generated on-site, customers can expect up to 90% less power outages.
- Enabling lower emissions: up to 90% of the SPS electricity comes from solar panels and the stored solar energy in the battery, creating a more renewable energy source to power homes and businesses.
- Suited to customer needs: SPS units come in different sizes so they can be adapted to suit a customer’s energy needs.
- Small footprint: In most cases, asset footprint, will be reduced from tens of thousands of kilometres of powerlines to the maximum of a 400sqm SPS installation.
- Reduced bushfire risk: SPS makes powerlines and poles in the area redundant. These are then ‘switched off’ and decommissioned, significantly reducing the risk of bushfire.
- Lower maintenance costs: SPS allow for the removal of power poles and powerlines which reduces network maintenance costs.
A SPS is a self-sufficient off-grid power source. Energy is generated by the solar panels, powering the property and charging the batteries for use when the sun isn’t shining. A backup generator also kicks in when needed to keep energy flowing. The unit operates independently of the main electricity grid to store and deliver reliable power to a household or business.
By providing a power source that is predominantly renewably sourced and located in very close proximity to where it is needed, Western Power is able to provide a more reliable power supply to our remote and regional customers, and it also allows us to remove tens of thousands of kilometres of powerlines significantly reducing the risk of bushfire.
Given the benefits of SPS, we are rolling out thousands of units to serve customers across the network in the coming years.
SPS plays a key role in our strategy to develop a modular grid, which will create a more renewable and greener energy future for WA.
The SPS program and rollout is also contributing to the WA economy, creating a $3 million energy technology industry and world-leading expertise.
SPS provide significant benefits to customers, and to the operation of our network, particularly across the vast regions covering the Mid-West, Wheatbelt, South-West and Great Southern.
There are criteria used to assess and determine where Western Power will install SPS as an alternative to poles and wires infrastructure.
Customers are identified and selected for a SPS based on the following:
- single or small groups of customers located on the edge of the grid
- network assets in the area that are due for replacement
- the cost of replacing network assets compared with providing SPS to these properties
- topography of the area
- existing network maintenance requirements
- bushfire risks in the area
We cover the cost of SPS installation, maintenance and replacement. This includes site visits and investigations, system installation and ongoing maintenance. If we identify any faulty electrical equipment on your property we are required by law to disconnect the meter. This is to help keep you safe. The faulty electrical equipment will need to be fixed by a licensed electrical contractor before we can turn your power back on.
Customers will continue to receive a bill from Synergy for the electricity they use. The cost per unit of electricity is the same as network-connected customers, so if your electricity usage stays the same, so will your bill.
Want to lower your power bill? Find easy and energy efficient changes you can make at energy.gov.au
Please call our faults line on 13 13 51 and we’ll send our crew over to resolve the issue.
SPS provide a reliable, cost-effective, and localised alternative to providing power to regional and remote customers.
SPS are self-sufficient power units that use solar panels and a battery, with a back-up generator , to provide reliable power for customers. By using SPS as an alternative power source, our customers get a more reliable and more renewable energy supply.
The poles and wires infrastructure will also become redundant, creating significant cost savings in maintenance and upgrades, particularly in remote areas. Decommissioned poles and wires also reduce the bushfire risk in these areas.
As well as customers getting more reliable power, the savings on infrastructure are being reinvested in upgrading and enhancing the network for customers in other areas, creating a win-win for customers and the network.
Learn more about this innovation and how it’s positioned WA as a world leader in renewable SPS technology.
The success of our SPS program has resulted in a strong interest from regional families and businesses who are keen to have a SPS installed on their property. Currently, only customers who live on properties that we’ve identified are eligible. We proactively contact customers who meet the eligibility criteria.
Customers can purchase a full cost SPS from Western Power if they aren’t contacted to be part of the SPS asset-replacement program. We recommend making a pre-application enquiry if you would like more information about customer funded SPS options.
Given the range of customer load requirements, we’ve designed our fleet to be modular, with capacity to be upgraded. SPS sizing is based on:
- a detailed review of customer’s historical consumption data
- a site inspection
- the customer’s approved future plans.
In some cases, customer’s will be required to pay for a supply upgrade if they are, or will be, exceeding their current supply. This is a similar scenario for network connected customers.
Our initial customer engagement, site visit and review of historical consumption data is critical in providing us with the information we need to get the SPS sizing right. The nature, timing and duration of the load being used would impact how frequently the backup generation would be used. The design of the system is in accordance with the relevant Australian Standards and a lifecycle assessment is used to identify the optimum mix and usage of solar, storage and backup generation.
Western Power will contact customers who are eligible for a SPS as part of our Asset Replacement Program.
Outside that program, customers can purchase a unit, for more information visit our products and services page or submit an enquiry through our customer experience team or submit a pre-application enquiry. Alternatively, you can call us on 13 10 87 (Monday to Friday, 8:30am - 5pm).
While SPS are installed in rural areas, they have significant flow-on benefits for customers in metropolitan and other built-up areas.
SPS operate like a mini microgrid, providing self-sufficient, renewable and reliable power on-site for a customer. The first Western Power SPS trial in 2016 sought to understand how new technologies could be used to create renewable energy solutions that deliver improved power quality in a more cost-effective way. These learnings have been used to inform other energy technology developments across the grid.
With technologies like SPS, our network is transforming. It is becoming more modular with localised energy solutions and more renewable integration, creating a smarter and more sustainable energy future for us all.
Discover how SPS in rural WA started a renewable energy transformation in metro areas.
As a localised renewable technology solution, SPS provide self-sufficient power to rural properties, businesses and locations where they are installed.
They can support various energy needs, from shearing sheds to homesteads, welding and other farm operations.
This means that powerlines to properties that have a SPS will no longer be required and can be removed, significantly reducing the risk of bushfire.
This reduces bushfire risk as long powerlines exposed to dust, debris, lightning and other environmental factors, poses a fire risk. As poles are de-energised, and then removed (decommissioned), this particular risk is eliminated.
SPS are a safer, greener and more reliable power supply alternative for rural WA customers.
SPS benefit all WA customers, particularly those in regional WA.
SPS provide a new reliable energy solution for customers on rural properties serviced by long powerlines.
SPS provides customers with a more reliable power supply, generating enough renewable power to service the needs of farming businesses and homesteads. Over five years, the first properties to have SPS units installed, reduced their power outages up to 90% and had more reliable power at their shearing sheds, homesteads and farm operations resulting in better productivity for those businesses, and their operations became more renewable too.
From a network perspective, SPS are more cost-effective as they remove the need to maintain powerlines and poles at the end of spur lines, saving WA taxpayers and reducing bushfire risk. These redundant power lines will be removed and the savings reinvested into more technology and infrastructure upgrades to build a smarter energy future for our regional customers.
In the event of a fire or suspected fire within the SPS energy storage system with SPS.
- Do not attempt to fight the fire source from the SPS.
- Contact 000 and notify the relevant Authorities that there is a fire within the SPS enclosure and follow their directions.
- Stay away from the vicinity of the SPS fenced area and consider wind direction impact on smoke and fire movement.
Western Power is in the process of identifying portions of the existing traditional network that, in the right circumstances, can be decommissioned and replaced with SPS.
If you require a new connection at your property within 10 years of the poles and wires being decommissioned, we will connect your property in accordance with the Electricity Industry (Obligation to Connect) Regulations 2005. As the traditional overhead network will be decommissioned, any new connection at this location will be serviced by a SPS.
To ensure you are not disadvantaged by the removal of the overhead network, Western Power will preserve the network equivalent connection costs for new connection applications for premises which are within 100 metres of the removed poles and wires, for a period of two years from the date of notification of our intention to decommission the network. This means, if you seek a new connection at your property where network infrastructure is scheduled for removal (or has already been removed), you will be able to receive that new connection at the ‘lowest cost’ -being either a network equivalent cost or SPS cost, whichever is lower. After the two-year period has expired, any new customers will be required to pay the full cost of a SPS connection.
The preservation of connection costs is attached to the land, not the customer. For example, in cases where an eligible customer decides to sell or subdivide their land, the new landowner(s) of the property or the subdivided land parcels are eligible for the preserved network connection costs if they have bought the property and applied for a new connection within two years of the customer communication regarding decommissioning being sent.
To be eligible to receive a new connection at the ‘lowest cost’ during the two-year period, you will need to provide all relevant planning information (including, but not limited to, building permits, development plans and approvals or certified electrical loads) when applying for a new connection.
For more information, please contact us.
Where is the traditional network being decommissioned?Find out what areas may be eligible for a new SPS connection. |
View map |
New customer connections
Please call our faults line on 13 13 51 (24/7) and we’ll send our crew over to resolve the issue.
If you have been contacted by our team about transitioning to a SPS, it is because it is likely that the network in your area is nearing the end of its serviceable life and will potentially be removed.
To ensure you remain connected to electricity, we are looking at options to supplying you with power. SPS have many benefits (link to benefits FAQ) and are a viable option to network connection.
Before your SPS is installed, we’ll check to ensure the size matches your energy needs. If you want to increase your capacity (how much energy you can draw) in the future, you can request this at your own cost by submitting an application.
We have an obligation to manage the safety and reliability of SPS to the same level as the traditional electricity network. We have carried out rigorous safety testing and the SPS units have been built in accordance with relevant Australian Standards and Western Power’s technical specifications.
The regulation states that customers retain the right to a connection quote, for 10 years after the poles and wires have been removed, if the new connection point is within 100 metres of where the Western Power infrastructure was.
The regulation states that customers retain the right to a connection quote for 10 years after the poles and wires have been removed, if the new connection point is within 100 metres of where the Western Power infrastructure was.
If you need power at your property where the powerlines have been removed you can obtain a quote for a Stand-alone Power System via the new connections page on our website.
If the poles and wires have been removed within the past two years, and you want a new connection within 100m from where they once were, you may be eligible for a SPS at the lowest cost, being either the network equivalent cost, or SPS, whichever is lower.
To find out where the poles and wires used to stand on your property you can view our map.
The two-year period commences on the date the property owner is contacted by us, and is tied to the land, not the property owner. If the property is sold during this two-year period, the new property owner can apply for a new connection at the lower connection cost.
To be eligible to receive a new connection at the ‘lowest cost’ during the two-year period, you’ll need to provide all relevant documentation and planning information including, but not limited to:
- development plans
- third party approvals
- certified electrical loads
This only applies to customers where the new connection is located within the 100-metre obligation to connect (OTC) zone of the network infrastructure to be removed.
After the two-year period has expired, any new customers will be required to pay the full cost of a SPS connection.
A single SPS can supply a maximum of five customers but this may vary depending on the capacity needs of each connection.
The SPS are fitted with 24-hour remote monitoring dashboards which provide real time visibility of the SPS performance so Western Power, and the contractor, can see if there is an issue with the SPS or if the diesel tank is running low before the scheduled service date. The generator is expected to operate for a minimum duration every 1 to 2 weeks (depending on manufacturer’s requirements) for its maintenance cycle to minimise generator deterioration. This will only occur if the generator has not been required to operate due to load conditions within the maintenance cycle period.
We monitor SPS remotely to identify sites that might require augmentation in cases of excessive generator run time.
If there is an emergency or SPS customers experience a fault or outage they will still need to call the Western Power faults and emergency line on 13 13 51 (24 hours).
We understand issues with SPS may arise and we encourage your feedback. Please call our Customer Experience Centre on 13 10 87 between 8:30am and 5pm, Monday to Friday (except public holidays) and our customer experience team will be happy to assist. Alternatively, you can submit your feedback online or write to us at:
Complaints Team,
Locked Bag 2530,
Perth, WA 6001
For more information visit the Western Power complaints handling process.
No, you’ll continue to receive a bill from Synergy for the electricity you use. The cost per unit of electricity is the same as network-connected customers, so if your electricity usage stays the same, so will your bill.
Want to lower your power bill? Find easy and energy efficient changes you can make at energy.gov.au.
Stand-alone power systems (SPS) are an exciting new way we’re improving power reliability for regional customers. SPS is an off-grid power solution that works independently of the main electricity grid to store and deliver power to households and small businesses. It uses renewable energy such as solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, battery storage, inverter(s) and a backup diesel generator. Western Power pay for the upfront cost of the unit and any ongoing costs associated with maintenance, faults and replacement. Customers continue to be billed by their retailer at the same unit cost as a grid or network connected property.
Existing SPS customers
Please call our faults line on 13 13 51, 24/7 and our crew will be dispatched to fix the fault.
To modify your connection (increase your maximum load/ capacity), you can request this at your own cost by submitting an application.
Absolutely, it is possible to upgrade SPS units to three-phase power, similar to a grid connected property, this will require a capital contribution. For pricing information, please contact the customer experience centre on 13 10 87.
You’ll need to and pay the full cost of a SPS.
We’ll honour the network connection cost for new connection applications for two years from the date the line was transitioned to SPS, if the network connection is lower than the cost of a SPS, and you are within 100 metres of where the poles are wires were. The two-year period commences on the date the property owner is contacted by us, and is tied to the land, not the property owner. If the property is sold during this two year period, the new property owner can apply for a new connection at the lower connection cost.
To be eligible to receive a new connection at the ‘lowest cost’ during the two-year period, you’ll need to provide all relevant documentation and planning information including, but not limited to:
- development plans
- third party approvals
- certified electrical loads
No, you’re not required to maintain or refuel the SPS generator.
We’re responsible for all SPS maintenance, including refuelling the generator and vegetation maintenance. We service the generator as required, depending on the size of the SPS. The diesel tank may need to be refuelled more frequently depending on weather and usage.
Where possible, we will try to contact you prior to entering your property. If we can’t get in touch, we’ll still need to access the property. As the energy operator, we’re permitted to enter properties for these purposes. For more information, please visit Land Access Legislation.
You will continue to receive a bill from Synergy for the electricity you use. The cost per unit of electricity will not change and is the same as network-connected customers. If your electricity usage stays the same, so will your bill.
Want to lower your power bill? Find easy and energy efficient changes you can make at energy.gov.au.
We understand issues with SPS may arise and we encourage your feedback. Please call our Customer Experience Centre on 13 10 87 between 8:30am and 5pm, Monday to Friday (except public holidays) and our customer service team will be happy to assist. Alternatively, you can submit your feedback online or write to us at:
Complaints Team,
Locked Bag 2530,
Perth, WA 6001
For more information visit the Western Power complaints handling process.
Integrating your solar panels with SPS
Yes, you can install your own solar panels, however there may be limitations on how your panels integrate with the SPS. Please call our customer experience team on 13 10 87 or contact us to discuss your options.
SPS integration with existing customer solar panels is still being trialled.
We’re currently working towards a long-term technical solution. Before submitting an application for solar panels, please call our customer experience team on 13 10 87 or email us so we can assist you further.
Proactive supply abolishment and IOU SPS
Under the stand-alone power system (SPS) Program, if you would like to permanently cancel your electricity network connection because you no longer require an electricity supply at the meter location, now or in the future, we can submit an application with Synergy on your behalf to have your meter and electricity cables leading into the property removed. Under the SPS program we’ll cover the cost of the permanent removal.
You can also submit your own application with Synergy, but you’ll be required to pay a $518.10 supply abolishment application fee.
You’ll need to apply for a new connection and pay the full cost of SPS instalment.
We’ll honour the network connection cost for new connection applications for two years from the date the line was transitioned to SPS, if the network connection is lower than the cost of a SPS. The two-year period commences on the date the property owner is contacted by us, and is tied to the land, not the property owner. If the property is sold during this two year period, the new property owner can apply for a new connection at the lower connection cost.
To be eligible to receive a new connection at the ‘lowest cost’ during the two-year period, you’ll need to provide all relevant documentation and planning information including, but not limited to:
- development plans
- third party approvals
- certified electrical loads
The SPS IOU agreement is offered to customers who want to keep their existing connection, but are uncertain of what their long-term energy needs will be at their property.
The IOU agreement expires after five years but can be extended at your request for a further five years. If/when you contact us to advise that you need power, we’ll progress the work and install SPS within an agreed timeframe.
If you don’t request a SPS or an extension to the SPS IOU agreement within the five-year period, we’ll contact you to discuss your options and permanently remove your connection if you no longer require power.
The SPS IOU is only redeemable at the IOU connection location specified in the SPS IOU agreement and can’t be transferred to another site on the property.
You can contact us at any time to remove your connection if you decide you don’t want power at the IOU location. The costs for this will be covered by us.
The SPS team will discuss all options with you during your initial engagement. If you have an inactive meter and decide you would like to keep this connection, you’ll need to contact Synergy to reopen your electricity account. In cases where there is no connection, customers will need to apply for a new connection through our website within the timeframe provided by the SPS team. The connection will then be assessed for a SPS.
Alternatively, you can request to be part of the SPS IOU program if you’re unsure what your long-term energy needs will be. Find out more about SPS IOU.
If there’s no active account at the meter, you’ll need to open a new account with Synergy. If your property is disconnected, a reconnection order will be sent once your account is opened.
We have smaller SPS units available for low use properties, however if you don’t need electricity, we won’t install a unit. Instead, we can organise to remove the connection at your request.
Western Power has introduced a one-off financial payment for customers who have an active meter but either:\
- rarely use their connection (e.g. 1-2 weeks per year for shearing or crutching)
- have minimal ongoing use (e.g. electric fence or dam pump)
- are seeking to self service for their electricity needs.
This one-off payment is designed to enable landowners to self-service by procuring a fit for purpose solution (e.g. a generator and diesel) for those times when power may be required.
We’ll also cover the cost of supply abolishment (permanent removal) at these meters. We will continue to review this approach as the SPS program evolves to ensure it is equitable and transparent for our customers.
For more information please call our customer experience team on 13 10 87 or email us.
Please note, if you change your mind in the future and would like power back at this location, you’ll need to apply for a new connection and pay the full connection cost for a SPS.
Western Power has introduced a one-off financial payment for customers who have an active meter but either:
- rarely use their connection (e.g. 1-2 weeks per year for shearing or crutching)
- have minimal ongoing use (e.g. electric fence or dam pump)
- are seeking to self service for their electricity needs.
This one-off payment is designed to enable landowners to self-service by procuring a fit for purpose solution (e.g. a generator and diesel) for those times when power may be required.
We’ll also cover the cost of supply abolishment (permanent removal) at these meters.
We will continue to review this approach as the SPS program evolves to ensure it is equitable and transparent for our customers.
For more information please call our customer experience team on 13 10 87 or email us.