If you experienced a power outage of more than 12 hours or if equipment or appliances were damaged as a result of a power surge or voltage variation, you may be eligible for compensation from your electricity distributor.

The outages also provide an important reminder of the importance for businesses to plan and be prepared for potential outages to gas, electricity and water supplies. Business needs to take reasonable precautions to minimise the risk of loss or damage to any equipment, premises or business resulting from poor quality or unreliable electricity supplies. Precautions can include business insurance, surge protectors and back-up generators.

The first step in seeking compensation is to contact your electricity distributor to request a compensation claim form. You will need evidence to support your claim, so keep records such as receipts and photos.

Once submitted, applications for compensation are assessed on a case by case basis.

Your electricity distributor is different to your retailer. Electricity distributors own and maintain the network of poles and wires that deliver electricity. Your electricity distributor is based on where you live. The five Victorian electricity distributors are:

• Powercor Australia – Faults number: 13 24 12
• Ausnet Services – Faults number: 13 17 99
• United Energy Distribution – Faults number: 13 20 99
• Citipower – Faults number: 13 12 80
• Jemena – Faults number: 13 16 26

To determine who your distributor is you can refer to your electricity bill or the Victorian Government’s interactive maphere.

If you are unhappy with the response from your electricity distributor you can contact Victoria’sEnergy and Water Ombudsman, an independent dispute resolution service that provides Victorian customers with free, informal and fast dispute resolution relating to energy and water issues.

Businesses should also be looking closely at improving their energy and resource efficiency. Theenergy assessment grants program, through Sustainability Victoria, is open to businesses spending over $20,000 a year on energy and provides funding towards the cost of an energy assessment and the implementation of energy upgrades.