SA Power Networks: South Australia's Electricity Distributor

About SA Power Networks

With one network covering the whole state, every South Australian household pays the same network charges for the same tariff, from Adelaide to Mount Gambier. SA Power Networks has about 946,000 customers and around 90,000 kilometres of line.

Its poles are distinctive. The Stobie pole, two steel posts with concrete between them, is used almost only in South Australia, and makes up about 11% of all distribution poles in the national market according to the AER.

South Australia has one of the highest rates of rooftop solar in the world, and the network has had to adapt. It was among the first to bring in two-way pricing and flexible export limits.

Owner: Privately owned.

SA Power Networks in numbers

Across all networks the AER regulates, the average is 14.5 customers per kilometre of line and 37.4% of homes on cost-reflective tariffs. Fewer customers per kilometre generally means higher costs per customer and longer outages. See network reliability.

SA Power Networks power outages and faults

Check SA Power Networks's current outages first. If your outage is not listed, report it by phone or online. If only your home is affected, check your switchboard: see power out in your house.

For planned work, SA Power Networks must give you at least four business days' notice under the National Energy Retail Rules, and written notice if you are registered for life support. See planned outages.

More on outages in South Australia: power outages in South Australia and compensation for long outages.

What SA Power Networks means for your bill

Network charges are built into your retailer's usage rate and daily supply charge. The AER found network charges were up to 46% of a residential bill in 2024. On the Default Market Offer for the SA Power Networks area in 2026-27, the price is 41.91c per kWh and $1.80 a day, about $2,334 a year at 4,000 kWh.

Retailers compete in this network. As at 14 October 2026, the cheapest generally available flat-rate plan was 1st Energy's 1st Emerald - Single Rate, at about $1,887 a year for 4,000 kWh. See the full ranking.

How network prices are decided: AER determinations and network charges explained.

Places on the SA Power Networks network

City guides with local bills, solar output and installation numbers: Mount Gambier, Port Augusta, Murray Bridge.

Connecting solar on the SA Power Networks network

New and upgraded solar systems can choose a fixed export limit of 1.5 kW per phase, or Flexible Exports of up to 10 kW per phase that move with local network capacity. Flexible Exports have been offered across all South Australian council areas since 17 July 2025. In SWER areas, the fixed option is zero exports.

Since 28 September 2020, South Australia has also required new and upgraded solar systems to be able to be switched off remotely in a power system emergency.

SA Power Networks approves every new solar connection and sets the export limit for your address. Your installer applies on your behalf. Read about export limits, export charges and the emergency backstop before you buy.

Questions about SA Power Networks