Invitation for public comments
Proposed new distribution low voltage connection scheme (kVA charging scheme)
In response to comments and feedback from stakeholders Western Power is proposing to introduce a new charging scheme to determine capital contributions for new and upgraded connections. This is to be called the Distribution Low Voltage Connection Scheme, also referred to as the kVA Charging Scheme.
Western Power is required to obtain approval from the Economic Regulatory Authority (ERA), in order to introduce the scheme. As part of the approval process, Western Power is required to formally consult with stakeholders.
Your comments will form part of a consultation process which will include a public forum as detailed below and will allow Western Power to refine the scheme for submission to the ERA. Further details are available in the Discussion Paper below.
It is expected that the scheme will take effect from 1 January 2012, pending final approval from the ERA.
What is the proposed scheme?
The Distribution Low Voltage Connection Scheme (DLVCS) is an alternate scheme to the existing approach to determining capital contributions. Under the existing approach capital contributions are determined on a case by case basis and the outcome can be very different depending on the location of the part of the network to which the connection is sought. The DLVCS provides for an approach whereby the capital contribution is based on a set of standard charges that will be published on Western Power’s web-site.
The standard charges reflect the average cost of connection to the network for applicants with similar electricity load requirements. The approach is transparent and provides for the applicant to be able to predict the capital contribution for both new and upgraded connections.
The scheme only applies to locations where the lot has an existing connection, and includes individual customers that have above residential standard loads plus individual commercial customers. The scheme will not apply to greenfields developments, subdivisions, high voltage (6.6kV and above) customers, primary producers and customers more than 25 km from a Western Power zone substation.
The DLVCS was produced in response to industry’s request for a more consistent and transparent charging scheme and to alleviate the perception of inequity in charges for customer connections and upgrades with the current charging scheme. Western Power has engaged with industry during the scheme’s development and, to date, industry feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
Community consultation
Western Power invited the community to comment on the proposed DLVCS charging scheme. Full details are available in the Discussion Paper below. As part of the consultation process, Western Power held a public forum on 22 August 2011. A summary of the process and the outcomes is available in the Consultation process and outcomes document (PDF 2.62mb).
Documents and links
The documents below provide further information.
- Consultation process and outcomes (PDF 14mb - large file)
- Discussion Paper (PDF 224kb)
- Contributions Policy (with tracked changes) (PDF 94kb)
- FAQ (PDF 179kb)
A copy of the Distribution Low Voltage Connection Scheme Methodology, which is referred in the Contributions Policy, is available on request.
To view PDF files you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader.
