The ACT Government is accelerating the transition to a cleaner, more sustainable future by constructing the infrastructure required to power an electric bus fleet in Canberra.
The State Government has hired Evoenergy to build crucial electrical infrastructure to supply the Woden and Tuggeranong bus depots with the energy needed to hold and charge up to 300 battery electric buses.
More work is being done in collaboration with Evoenergy to deliver critical infrastructure modifications to the distribution network. This will help the ACT Government achieve its goal of converting to a zero-emission public transportation system by 2040.
With the first of Canberra’s 12 electric buses now on the road, the State Government said the announcement secures the electrical infrastructure needed to operate the future 90 electric buses now being procured.
In the short term, the Government is also moving through with internal electric works at the Tuggeranong and Belconnen Bus Depots to expand electrical capacity and enable more flexible charging options.
“The Government is making sure that the ACT continues to lead on the transition to a low emissions future. This investment is part of our plan to electrify public transport, reduce emissions and lower the ongoing operating costs of the bus fleet,” ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said.
Chief Minister Barr stated that Government made the investment through the budget to avoid burdening Canberrans with increased electricity costs due to the city’s transition to a zero-emissions public transport system.
“The Government is investing in our city and in infrastructure that is built for Canberra, to ensure that our city continues to be one of the most liveable in the world,” Chief Minister Barr added.
According to the Government, high-voltage cables will be installed to support the construction of the new Woden Bus Depot, which can charge up to 100 buses, and the upgrade of the Tuggeranong Depot, which can charge up to 200 buses.
This work entails supplementing Evoenergy’s electrical distribution network by linking two bus depots through two new 11 kV dedicated underground lines from Evoenergy’s Wanniassa Zone substation to help manage peak demand of up to 12.2MVA at Tuggeranong and 5.1MVA at Woden.
Over three fiscal years, $26.3 million will be invested to complete these vital electrical infrastructure upgrades, which will eventually provide the depots with the electricity needed to charge and operate up to 300 battery electric buses.
Minister for Transport and City Services Chris Steel said the State Government’s transition strategy has never been about simply purchasing electric buses; it has always been about developing the grid and charging infrastructure to support them and training the employees to maintain and operate the new technology.
“This investment means we can progressively be rolling out new bus technology across our city over the coming years to grow our zero-emission fleet. These buses will integrate with our expanded mass-transit light rail network, with both transport modes running on 100% renewable electricity,” Minister Steel stated.
Minister Steel added, “Our combined investments represent the biggest improvement to Canberra’s public transport system in a generation. This will give every Canberran the opportunity to play their part in taking real action on climate change and provide more comfortable and convenient ways to get around our city.”
