Energy companies are being urged to improve planning as Canberra experiences a winter with more unplanned power outages than average in some suburbs. The ACT government's push to phase out gas and increase electrification has driven electricity demand to record levels, sometimes outstripping supply and causing intermittent blackouts, often during freezing temperatures.
For local business owners like Alex Royds, a cafe owner and cheesemonger, power outages pose a serious financial threat. Mr Royds said his daily stock is worth about $20,000, and any outage could spoil perishable goods that must be kept below 4 degrees Celsius. 'It's a big loss, especially if you're just a new business … to lose a full week's worth of stock is pretty scary,' he said.
Power supplier Evoenergy reported that outages in June 2025 increased by 20 percent compared to the same period last year. The company attributed the rise to colder minimum temperatures and electrification, which set new records for electricity demand. To address reliability, Evoenergy is trialling six community-scale batteries in Denman Prospect, designed to store energy during off-peak periods and release it during peak evening demand.
Evoenergy acting general manager Tim Juhasz noted that problems often emerge during morning and evening peak times when network load approaches capacity. He added that other stressors like bad weather, falling trees, and disasters also contribute to outages. Tony Wood, an energy fellow at the Grattan Institute, said unpredictable weather due to climate change is a factor, but he expected better planning from energy companies to keep up with growing population demand.
Evoenergy said it expects to complete the Molonglo Zone Substation before next winter, which will power thousands of homes. Meanwhile, Mr Royds remains satisfied with his all-electric setup, supported by a government grant, saying it has made operations easier despite the outage risks.
