Electricity supply in the ACT

Most of the electricity for the ACT is supplied via the national grid from powerplants in other states.

ActewAGL buys electricity from number of non-renewable and renewable energy sources to meet the ACT’s needs. In particular, through its Greenchoice , the company purchases electricity generated by "new" renewable sources (generators built after 1 January 1997).

In 1999 the ACT Government built two small renewable energy generators that are connected to the ActewAGL electricity network. These generators are powered by methane gas collected from the decomposition of biomass in the landfill at Mugga Lane and Belconnen Waste Management Centres.

These electricity generation plants are small, efficient and designed to minimise emissions. Capturing and using methane to generate electricity reduces the amount that is released into the atmosphere. Because methane is a greenhouse gas and contributes to global warming, it is better to trap and use it than release it. The electricity generated at these plants is purchased by ActewAGL and fed into the local distribution network.

The ACT also has a mini-hydro plant at Stromlo that can be used to generate electricity. This operates part of the time, based on dam water level and current ACT water usage.

ACT electricity networks

In the ACT there are three main types of networks, each carrying a different voltage.

They are the 132kV sub-transmission network, the 11kV network and the 415/240V low-voltage network. There are also some 66kV and 22kV networks.

The 132kV sub-transmission and 11kV networks are a three-wire system. They consist of three conductors or "three phase" (multiples of three). The 415/240V low-voltage network is a four-wire system. Each line consists of four conductors, or three phases and one neutral.

Learn more about how electricity is made.