Powercor is trialing a new product aimed at lowing bushfire risk.
A fire-retardant mesh has been developed that is deigned to wrap around the base of power poles.
This mesh protects the pole from low intensity grass fires, expanding and hardening to shield the pole from flames and embers.
The trial focuses on protecting wooden power poles in areas most exposed to grass and scrub fires.
Crews trialled installation of the mesh in a controlled environment at Powercor’s Ballarat depot in February, with the first field trials expected to begin within weeks.
The Grampians will be one of the locations for the trials.
Powercor Head of Strategic Projects Craig Savage said the trial was about further improving how we prepare the network for fire conditions and reducing the impact on the power network and local communities when fires occur.
“Victoria is one of the most fire prone parts of the world and at the same time our customers rely on power more than ever, especially during emergencies,” Mr Savage said.
“This trial is about strengthening our network in known high risk areas so we can limit damage during fires, reduce outages and restore power faster for the communities we serve.”
Powercor has more than 250,000 wooden poles across its network and expects to propose a rollout of a combination of fire mesh and concrete poles in more than 1000 high-risk areas by 2031.
A decision on Powercor’s 2026 to 2031 plans will be made by the Australian Energy Regulator in April.
