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Reducing Bushfire Risk With Innovative Technology

27 April 2017

The Andrews Labor Government is using innovative energy solutions to help keep communities safe from bushfires.

The $750 million Powerline Bushfire Safety Program is providing Stand-Alone Power System (SAPS) grants to targeted landowners in selected regional areas who opt-in to the initiative.

Properties at the end of high voltage powerlines in the most acute bushfire-risk locations will be given the opportunity to go off the grid, by installing a SAPS.

By choosing to go off the grid, these properties at the end of the line will allow the remaining powerline to be shorter, reducing bushfire risk, as well as increasing the reliability of their energy supply.

The SAPS grant will consist of renewable energy such as wind and solar panels, batteries for storage and back-up generators.

It’s part of a range of technology solutions, such as undergrounding and insulation, which will be used to replace or remove high risk powerlines in bushfire prone areas.

Following the devastating 2009 Black Saturday bushfires, the Victorian Government has implemented a range of measures that came out of the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission, one of these being the Powerline Bushfire Safety Program.

The Program was established in 2012 as a 10-year program to significantly reduce bushfire risk associated with Victoria’s electricity distribution network.

Quotes attributable to Acting Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lisa Neville

“The Stand-Alone Power System Grant will provide energy solutions to Victorian communities living in high bushfire risk areas.”

“By permanently removing high risk powerlines, the risk of bushfires started by powerlines will be significantly reduced.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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