Essential Energy plans 300 streetlight chargers across regional New South Wales to spur private investment
By Eve
New South Wales electricity distributor Essential Energy is preparing an Australian Energy Regulator ring-fencing waiver application for a trial that would install 7 kW white-labelled chargers in 300 composite pole streetlights across regional, rural and remote towns. The Plug and Play EV charging programme aims to lower upfront costs and complexity for retailers, who would then provide retail charging services in areas where low usage and high infrastructure costs have deterred private investment.
Why it matters: The trial addresses a procurement gap in regional Australia by using existing streetlight infrastructure to reduce capital barriers, potentially unlocking retailer-led charging rollouts in underserved markets where standalone business cases remain unviable.