SA Power Networks' 2024 Sustainability Report outlines our vision and approach to sustainability, key achievements, goals, commitments and initiatives, and showcases the progress made in our environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance.

Our vision for a sustainable future

Our vision is to connect South Australians to a better energy future, today.

We recognise that our role extends beyond being an essential service and acknowledge our impact and influence on the continued prosperity of South Australia. Our approach to sustainability reflects this through our work to support our customers and communities, collaborate on innovative opportunities with government and the private sector, empower our workers, and protect the natural environment.

We are aligning our financial goals with our sustainability principles. In 2024, we achieved a major milestone by releasing our Sustainable Financing Framework and receiving pre-issuance certification for a Green Bond, the first Australian electricity distribution network to do so.

Key ESG Topics

Our strategic efforts, sustainability initiatives and reporting are focused on the ESG issues that are a priority for our stakeholders.

In 2024, we undertook a comprehensive and independent materiality assessment aligned to the requirements of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards. This assessment helps us determine the ESG issues, risks and opportunities that have the greatest impact on our business, customers and communities, and which we can influence.

Our most material topics are:

• Grid resilience and reliability
• Decarbonisation and the energy transition
• Emerging technologies and integration
• Nature, biodiversity and environmental conservation
• Responsible consumption and resource use
• Energy affordability and an equitable transition
• Customer experience and engagement
• Safety and health of the workplace and public.

Decarbonisation and the energy transition

We are contributing to South Australia's pathway to net zero emissions by delivering clean energy and unlocking future value for the state.

South Australia is at the forefront of the global shift to a net zero future and the energy transition is evolving at a rapid pace. Our grid continues to evolve to support the transition, accommodating bi-directional flows, renewable sources and electric vehicles, while maintaining stability. We are also enabling the electric vehicle (EV) transition by working in partnership with business and government so that the network can be ‘EV ready’.

Key highlights include:

• 72% of electricity use in SA met by renewables
• 38% of customers have solar
• Our Flexible Exports Program won the Clean Energy Council’s 2024 Industry Collaboration Award
• Launch of Energy Masters Pilot program

Our people

We are committed to building an aligned, capable and connected workforce, focussed on safely delivering the right outcomes for our customers.

We aspire to be an employer of choice, so we have a comprehensive suite of initiatives and systems in place to attract, develop and retain talent, including training programs focused on encouraging emerging STEM talent for the skilled workforce of the future.

In 2024, we continued activities under our Inclusion & Diversity Strategy and Action Plan, which focuses on the three pillars of ‘Gender’, ‘Reflect our Community’, and ‘Respect’, with an initial priority to improve our gender equity progress.

Some of our key achievements include:

• Record number of new starters in our Early Career Programs
• Nationally recognised Graduate Development and Intern Program
• Approximately 79,830 hours of training delivered by Training Services
• 26.3% of people leadership roles are held by women
• $5.8 million donated to SA charities through our Employee Foundation since its inception.
• Launched the Fatal Hazard Critical Control Program Pilot.

Caring for the environment

We are committed to monitoring and protecting the environment in which we operate, with a focus on minimising pollution to land and water, biosecurity risk, and cultural heritage impact.  The changing climate poses a range of challenges for our business, customers and communities, and we are committed to achieving credible greenhouse gas emissions reduction across our operations, activities and value chain.

Key highlights include:

• 90% of our waste is diverted from landfill
• 29% of our passenger fleet is electric
• We commenced first phase of climate scenario analysis.

Connecting communities

We are committed to supporting our customers and communities through the energy transition, and strive to contribute to a fair and just energy transition through education, awareness and accessibility.  We engage extensively with our stakeholders and invest in programs that enhance positive social outcomes.

Key highlights include:

• Invested $1.67m in our community via community partnerships and grants
• Launched our first ‘Reflect’ Reconciliation Action Plan
• Released our first Energy Charter Disclosure Report.

In Summary

The 2024 Sustainability Report demonstrates our commitment to a sustainable future for South Australia. We are actively working to transform our grid to enable the energy transition, empower our workforce, manage our environmental impacts, and connect with our communities.

For a more in-depth look at our sustainability initiatives and performance, please visit the Sustainability section of our website.