Australia and New Zealand are at a pivotal moment in energy transition. The shift to renewable generation, widespread electrification of industry, and the retirement of ageing thermal generation assets have created an urgent need to transform how power systems are designed, built, maintained and connected.
Central to this transition is the expansion and reinforcement of transmission infrastructure, the high‑voltage backbone that enables energy to flow from remote renewable generation zones into cities, towns and industrial centres.
Essential services provider Ventia’s expanded substation capability in grid connections for transmission and distribution represents a significant milestone for the industry, bringing enhanced capacity, technical depth and delivery confidence at a time when the energy sector most needs it.
“Ventia’s electricity capability has always spanned transmission, distribution, substations, design, capital works and maintenance, but its recent strategic expansion adds a new dimension to what its Australian customers can access,” said Ventia Executive General Manager of Energy and Renewables Agathe Gross.
At the heart of this expansion is Ventia’s integration of PowerNet Constructions (now known as the Australian substations team) into its energy networks and renewables team. The Australian substations team is a specialist provider of electrical infrastructure and substation services with experience in high‑voltage transmission and distribution asset projects. Its focus on complex capital works for network service providers complements Ventia’s existing service suite, allowing the combined entity to deliver grid connection projects that span from concept and design through to build, commissioning and ongoing operational support. This strategic addition broadens the scale, geographic reach and technical capability Ventia can offer to customers.
“We wanted to bring a team into our business that had an excellent reputation and expertise that we could grow within Australia. This team was uniquely positioned as they operate across Victoria as well as selected areas of New South Wales, and they cover the full spectrum of work, including design, build, testing and commissioning,” Gross said.
For industry stakeholders, this expanded capability is more than just a corporate growth story. It directly addresses one of the more pressing industry challenges: managing the surge in demand for grid‑ready infrastructure while ensuring reliability and safety. Transmission projects typically require specialised crews, high‑voltage live line techniques and deep knowledge of substation design, protection, automation and commissioning. Ventia’s transmission capabilities include large‑scale design, live‑line maintenance up to 275kV, transmission line stringing and advanced substation work; exactly the kinds of competencies needed to connect new generation into the grid with as little disruption as possible.
“We have taken the unique capabilities of the team and made them broader and more applicable to our Energy and Renewables team. They are very skilled at knowing exactly how many people and how long it will take to do very specific parts of very specific jobs. Obtaining that knowledge, building on it and using it to provide precision and value to our clients is enabling our expansion,” said Gross.
Another important dimension to Ventia’s expanded role is the built‑in continuity of operations. The company’s end‑to‑end services – from concept design and project delivery to commissioning and ongoing maintenance – mean that grid connection projects are not treated as discrete works but as part of a lifecycle approach that optimises asset performance and longevity. Ventia’s integrated approach supports this by reducing hand‑offs, streamlining communications and aligning objectives across engineering, build and maintenance phases.
“Through maintenance we’re keeping the network up to scratch and can continue accommodating increased levels of demand, and two-way power flows. Now our teams are delivering projects that support the expansion of the transmission grid, and the connection of new renewable generation to the grid. This is our role, and how we contribute to the broader renewable energy transition,” Gross said.
This lifecycle view is especially significant when considering the pace and scale of energy transition activity. Operators are under pressure not only to connect more renewables to the grid but also to ensure that existing infrastructure can handle new load patterns and variable generation behaviour. Substations and transmission lines must be upgraded or reconfigured to manage bidirectional flows, voltage fluctuations and advanced protection schemes. The industry’s ability to innovate in these areas is dependent on workforce expertise that blends traditional electrical construction skills with modern digital, automation and protection knowledge.
“It’s quite hard to recruit people in this industry, so we’ve been exploring other avenues and bringing people with different profiles into the electrician, fitter and mechanic space. We’re looking at those who have more of an industrial background or base electrician skills and want to expand to a testing or commissioning capability,” said Gross.
As states and territories pursue ambitious renewable targets and as grid access standards evolve to facilitate faster connections, the need for capable delivery partners will only grow. Ventia’s expanded grid connection offering positions it as a key enabler for this next phase of transformation, providing network owners, developers and policymakers with a partner who can help navigate complexity and deliver results. By broadening its technical reach and strengthening its workforce, Ventia contributes to an energy future that is more resilient, efficient and decarbonised.
“In essence, Ventia’s expanded capability in grid connections for transmission and distribution work is a strategic response to one of the electricity sector’s most critical needs. It underscores the importance of integrated, high‑voltage expertise at a time when transmission infrastructure is central to the energy transition,” Gross said.
“For the utility industry, having access to robust design, construction and maintenance capabilities means being better equipped to deliver the infrastructure that will support tomorrow’s energy system, one that is cleaner, more flexible and ready for the demands of the decades to come.”
For more information, visit www.ventia.com
This article appears in the March/April 2026 edition of Utility. Subscribe HERE.
