HV Reticulation & Distribution Design Services Australia
Last reviewed: July 2026 by Matt Geoghegan, CEO, Megavar
Megavar designs high voltage and low voltage electrical distribution networks across Australia, from concept through to construction-ready drawings. The work covers overhead distribution, underground reticulation, underground residential distribution (URD) and powerline design, typically at 11kV, 22kV and 33kV, with subtransmission design up to 132kV. Because Megavar also commissions and energises the networks it designs, the business carries a design-through-to-energisation accountability that pure design houses cannot offer: the team that draws the network is the team that tests and energises it.
HV reticulation is the network of overhead lines and underground cables that distributes high voltage power across a site, estate or development. Distribution design turns a connection requirement into an approved, buildable network, and Megavar delivers both the design and the DNSP-compliant documentation that gets it connected.
Overhead Distribution Design
Overhead distribution design covers pole-mounted high voltage and low voltage networks, from single-pole extensions to multi-kilometre powerline routes. Megavar designs overhead lines to AS/NZS 7000, sizing conductors, selecting pole and crossarm configurations, calculating sag and tension, and confirming electrical and ground clearances. Deliverables are issued as DNSP-ready construction drawings.
- Conductor sizing and selection
- Pole, crossarm and hardware schedules
- Sag, tension and clearance calculations to AS/NZS 7000
- Structural and wind-loading assessment
- Vegetation clearance and easement review
- DNSP-compliant construction drawings
Underground Distribution & HV Reticulation
rather than overhead lines, the preferred approach for new estates, industrial sites and renewable connections. Megavar designs the full underground network, with cable sizing that accounts for current rating, fault level, voltage drop and derating for installation conditions.
- HV and LV cable route design and sizing
- Trench, conduit and duct-bank layouts
- Cable rating, fault-level and voltage-drop calculations
- Joint, termination and pillar/pit placement
- Earthing and bonding design
- DBYD and existing-service coordination
Underground Residential Distribution (URD)
Underground residential distribution (URD) is the underground network that supplies power to a residential subdivision or estate. Megavar designs URD schemes end to end and to the relevant distributor’s rules, whether that is SA Power Networks, TasNetworks, Ausgrid, Energex/Ergon or another network operator.
- Subdivision electrical layout
- Distribution substation (kiosk and padmount) placement and sizing
- HV and LV cable reticulation
- Street lighting design
- Distributor design-submission and approval package
Distribution Substations & Connection Design
Most reticulation schemes need one or more distribution substations to step subtransmission or HV down to the local network. Megavar sizes and locates kiosk and padmount substations, designs the HV and LV connections, and prepares the connection application for the network operator. Because Megavar also designs zone substations and commissions HV plant, distribution-level connection design sits inside a single capability rather than being handed between firms.
- Kiosk and padmount substation sizing and siting
- HV and LV connection design
- Protection and metering coordination
- Network connection application package
Drafting & Documentation
Every distribution design is delivered as construction-ready documentation. Megavar’s drafters produce DNSP-compliant CAD drawings prepared to the distributor’s drafting standards, so the design passes review the first time.
- DNSP-compliant CAD drawings
- Cable and equipment schedules
- As-built drawing updates
- Design-submission package for network approval
When Distribution Design Is Required
Distribution design is required whenever a new or modified electrical network connects to the grid. Common triggers include:
- New residential, commercial or industrial subdivisions
- Renewable energy connections (solar farms, BESS, wind)
- Network augmentation and feeder upgrades
- Overhead-to-underground conversion
- Load growth requiring new feeders or substations
- Private HV networks for large sites such as mines, ports and data centres
Standards
Megavar designs distribution and reticulation networks to the applicable Australian Standards and network operator design rules. Commonly applied standards include:
- AS/NZS 7000 – Overhead line design
- AS/NZS 3000 – Wiring rules
- AS/NZS 3008 – Selection of cables
- AS 2067 – Substations and high voltage installations exceeding 1kV
- ENA EG-0 – Power system earthing guide
- ENA and DNSP-specific design manuals (SA Power Networks, TasNetworks, Ausgrid, Energex/Ergon and others)
Frequently Asked Questions
HV Reticulation & Distribution Design Services Australia
What is HV reticulation?
What is the difference between overhead and underground distribution design?
What is underground residential distribution (URD)?
Does Megavar provide design only, or design and drafting?
What voltage levels does Megavar's distribution design cover?
Which Australian standards apply to distribution design?
Distribution and reticulation design commonly applies AS/NZS 7000 for overhead lines, AS/NZS 3000 wiring rules, AS/NZS 3008 for cable selection, AS 2067 for HV installations, and ENA EG-0 for earthing, alongside each network operator’s own design manual.
Can Megavar design the connection for a subdivision, solar farm or BESS?
Ready to commission your substation? Contact Megavar today on 1300 730 499 or visit our contact page to request a quote.
Why Choose Megavar
Design through to energisation under one roof. Megavar designs the network and then commissions and energises it, so design intent is carried all the way to a live, tested asset rather than handed off mid-stream.
- Practising HV engineers, not a drafting bureau
- Four offices: Hobart, Launceston, Adelaide and Newcastle
ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 accredited - Electrical contractors licence in every Australian state and territory
- Documentation built to pass DNSP design review first time
Explore Our other services
HV testing and commissioning by Megavar's own engineers. Substations, transformers, cables, switchgear. 200+ instrument fleet, four offices nationwide.
Power system studies: load flow, short circuit, protection coordination, harmonic analysis, arc flash, and earthing studies. Supporting HV design, compliance, and grid connections across Australia.
HV cable testing: VLF withstand, partial discharge, DC insulation, sheath integrity, and fault location for XLPE and PILC cables 11kV to 220kV across Australia.
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