The Plug and Play kerbside charging program will enable third-party charge point operators (CPOs) to connect 1,000 new public EV chargers within existing power poles across Essential Energy’s network, alongside the installation of 300 innovative composite pole streetlight chargers – almost doubling the number currently available across its footprint.
By enabling charge point operators to access existing electricity network assets in regional communities, the program is designed to fast-track the expansion of EV charging in towns which are lagging urban areas.
Essential Energy’s General Manager Commercial Development, Andrew Hillsdon, says the initiative reflects a commitment to innovation and Essential Energy’s role enabling the uptake of EVs across regional, rural and remote NSW.
“We’re taking the complexity and some of the costs out of installing EV chargers across our network so charge point operators can simply come into our communities and plug in,” he said.
“By enabling charge points at scale, we can deliver faster, lower-cost and more optimal public charging infrastructure than if done individually; site-by-site. We are looking to create the playbook for future installations of charging infrastructure across our network.”
The program, partially funded by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) under its Driving the Nation Program, will simplify the process for charge point operators by developing two types of kerbside charging solutions. Essential Energy will not operate or brand the chargers; supporting a diverse mix of providers.
The first solution involves preparing 1000 existing timber power poles across the network to be connection–ready for charge point operators to easily plug in their technology, ready for public use.
The second will be the installation of 300 new innovative composite streetlight poles, developed in partnership with Australian company Wagners Composite Fibre Technologies, which feature fully integrated 7 kW white-labelled chargers ready for operators to lease and start servicing the community.
As a regulated distribution business, Essential Energy must meet requirements of the Australian Energy Regulator (AER)’s ring-fencing guidelines. Essential Energy will be working with the AER on how it will comply with ring-fencing objectives to support a competitive EV charging market whilst delivering on this opportunity for EV drivers in regional and rural NSW. Regional councils will also be consulted to identify optimal locations for the chargers, so that the infrastructure meets local needs and market appetite.
By providing infrastructure that is accessible to CPOs, the program makes regional NSW a more attractive and viable market for EV charging operators. “We’re creating an EV charging market by making it easier for operators to invest in regional and remote communities by reducing operators’ barrier to entry and creating greater access to charging infrastructure for rural and regional communities,” Hillsdon said.
“Essential Energy has been at the forefront of innovation around designing kerbside charging infrastructure and with ARENA’s support we can continue to enable the acceleration of the EV charging rollout across our network, for the benefit of our communities.”
Essential Energy’s network covers 95% of NSW, serving regional, rural and remote communities. With only 1,464 chargers currently in its footprint, the Plug and Play program represents a major step forward in improving access and equity for EV drivers outside metropolitan areas.
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