Queensland’s state-owned electricity distributor Energex, has announced plans to replace about 52,000 kilometres of copper cabling with aluminium across its Southeast network. The move comes as copper theft continues to rise in the region, costing the utility approximately AUD 4.5 million annually in damages and repairs.
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The replacement decision came in with an interest in both economic and safety considerations. Copper, with a higher market value, has become an increasingly limelight target for theft in recent years. Energex reported that the damaging incidents have quickly aggravated since 2020, with thieves targeting high-voltage network components despite the severe risks involved.
"Queensland's electricity network can carry voltages of up to 132,000 volts, enough to kill instantly, and tragically, lives have been lost in attempts to steal copper worth only a few dollars," an Energex spokesperson told a media platform.
Switching to aluminium conductors is intended to deter theft while ensuring supply continuity. Aluminium is comparatively less attractive to scrap dealers compared to copper, reducing the risk of repeat incidents. While aluminium’s conductivity per cross-sectional area is lower than copper's, modern conductor designs can compensate by using larger cross-sections, which will, in turn, provide adequate performance while making the infrastructure more secure from tampering.
The Energex spokesperson added, "These reckless acts not only endanger the individuals involved but also put innocent community members at serious risk by leaving behind exposed live wires and damaged electrical components."
Energex’s decision brings a potentially heightened demand boost. Replacing copper cabling on such a large scale will require large quantities of an array of aluminium conductors, alloys, and connector systems.
Aluminium semi-fabricated products like wire and conductor technology suppliers drive advantage directly as distributors look for theft-resistant alternatives elsewhere as well. However, the planned replacement may also bring engineering and operational hurdles wherein aluminium and copper have different thermal expansion and corrosion profiles, requiring careful design to avoid long-term maintenance issues.
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