Electricity Infrastructure

There are four key aspects to electricity supply and consumption:

The generation of electricity in power stations

• The transport of electricity to the distribution network by high voltage transmission lines
• The distribution of electricity to consumers through the distribution network
• The consumption of electricity in the consumer's installation.

The Technical Regulator is responsible for the monitoring and regulation of safety and technical standards in the electricity supply industry (generation, transmission and distribution) and the administration of the provisions of the Electricity Act 1996  relating to clearance of vegetation, buildings and structures from powerlines.

The technical and safety standards for the South Australian electricity supply industry are defined in the Regulations under the Electricity Act:

• Electricity (General) Regulations 1997 
• Electricity (Principles of Vegetation Clearance) Regulations 1996 

The regulatory processes and procedures adopted seek to encourage the electricity supply industries to be self-regulated while achieving industry best practice, as defined in various Australian and International Standards called up in the Regulations. This allows individual companies to tailor compliance with the Regulations in a manner which is most effective and efficient for them. How well the companies' quality systems are working is determined through audits and comparisons against industry benchmarks. Companies also achieve compliance by developing Safety, Reliability, Maintenance and Technical Management Plans (SRMTMPs) which must be approved by the Technical Regulator. The Technical Regulator administers and audits sections of the SRMTMPs to ensure safety and technical standards are met.

This section of the website provides general information on the electricity industry structure, vegetation and building/structure clearance, reporting of electrical incidents and SRMTMPs.