Retrofitting an existing Strata Complex
16 September 2021

As one of Perth’s leading Energy companies, we occasionally receive requests from customers to
install an integrated energy network into an existing Strata Complex. For example, a Strata Scheme
is looking to access the benefits of installing a solar PV array and battery storage into the
development in combination with grid-supplied energy, i.e. an Integrated Energy Network. This
month’s article explores some of the considerations for Strata Owners when conducting a retrofit
of this type.
How an existing Strata Complex is converted to an integrated energy network will depend on the
type of network that is currently in place. There are two scenarios that may apply:

How it works
To retrofit a Strata Complex in scenario 1, a service provider will:
• install electrical infrastructure on the common property of the Strata Scheme;
• take over the account of the main Western Power meter;
• bill each of the lot owners individually for the supply of electricity either through:
• a direct electricity supply contract with the lot owner (if they agree); or
• on behalf of the Strata Company under an existing electricity supply arrangement for
the Strata Scheme, if they do not agree to a direct electricity supply contract with the service
provider; and
• bill the Strata Company for the electricity supplied to the common property.

For scenario 2, a service provider will:
• install new metering equipment, which may include a new or reconfigured main Western
Power meter and the replacement of all individual meters with sub-meters;
• install electrical infrastructure on the common property of the Strata Scheme;
• take over the account of the main Western Power meter;
• bill the lot owners individually if each lot owner agrees to enter into a direct
electricity supply contract with the service provider; and
• bill the Strata Company for the electricity supplied to the common property.

What the Strata Company needs to do
To give effect to the above, for both scenarios 1 and 2, the Strata Company will need to (among
other things) grant the service provider a licence to access the common property of the Strata
Scheme for the purpose of installing and maintaining the service provider’s electrical
infrastructure. This may involve the Strata Company entering into an infrastructure contract with
the service provider and granting a utility and sustainability infrastructure easement to the
service provider pursuant to section 64 of the Strata Titles Act 1985 (WA), in which case the
Strata Company would need to pass an ordinary resolution.

The service provider may also require the Strata Company to amend the Strata Scheme’s conduct
By-Laws, which will require the Strata Company to pass a special resolution to amend the Strata
Scheme’s conduct By-Laws.

In addition to this, for scenario 2, 100% of the Synergy account holders will need to provide their
verifiable consent¹ to terminate their existing retailer contract with Synergy. If this cannot be
achieved, it may be challenging (although not impossible) to complete a retrofit of the Strata
Complex. If this is applicable to your Strata Scheme, it may be worth discussing the topic at the
Strata Company’s next meeting.

More information?
For more information about the retrofitting process, or if you would like to discuss the benefits
of converting to an integrated energy network, please contact one of the team:

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1 Please refer to clause 14.3 (d) of the Western Power Applications and Queuing Policy in
accordance with the Electricity Networks Access Code 2004 found here.

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