Chef Clement Chauvin would love his restaurant, Les Bistronomes, to go fully electric, but as it stands, the power cuts multiple times during service. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
As the ACT Government incentivises more businesses to ditch gas for electricity, one Canberra restaurateur’s costly experience offers a clear warning to those considering the switch: the path to net zero isn’t always smooth.
Years after investing over $75,000 in commercial-grade electrical cooking equipment for his celebrated Campbell restaurant Les Bistronomes, chef Clement Chauvin said his equipment was languishing in storage as he waited for essential upgrades to address a “woefully inadequate” supply.
“I can’t install this gear yet because the supply in place is woefully inadequate to support even our current needs,” he said.
“In summer, the power trips three or even four times a day. I once had to put it back on five times during one lunch service. That’s no way to run any business.”
Mr Chauvin’s troubles began when, almost four years ago, the old switchboard powering Les Bistronomes and two other businesses at Campbell Shops exploded.
He said Evoenergy, the distributor that owned, operated, and maintained the territory’s electricity network, installed a generator and eventually a “temporary” switchboard, which he was informed was a stopgap while they worked on the necessary upgrades.
In 2024, Mr Chauvin was also encouraged by the City and Environment Directorate (CED), which offered him a 50 per cent rebate on all electrical equipment purchases, as part of the ACT Government’s broader push for electrification.
“I am personally invested in an electric future. I drive an electric vehicle, and have a solar and battery system at home. So with an incentive like this to move my business to full electric, it seemed like a no-brainer,” he said.
“It’s been three years of delays and excuses. Evoenergy is responsible for the design and implementation of the point of entry of power cabling to suit the new switchboard, but those repairs are not progressing. Meanwhile, that equipment has been gathering dust and depreciating in a warehouse.
“I can’t stand the contradiction. Evoenergy, the ACT’s electricity and gas network operator, is partly owned by the ACT Government. So you have one part of government pushing businesses towards going electric, while another can’t yet deliver the power needed to support that shift.”
An ACT Government spokesperson said the ACT Government provided a range of incentives to support businesses and commercial landlords with transitioning to fully electric operations, including on-site energy assessments, tailored advice, recommendation reports and rebates to upgrade equipment through the Sustainable Business Program and the Commercial Landlords Pilot.
However, it could not provide assurances regarding their site’s existing electrical capacity.
“Businesses are encouraged to work with licensed electricians and/or energy providers to assess their individual electrical load requirements before electric alternatives are installed,” the spokesperson said.
“This ensures each business can make informed decisions based on the specific characteristics of their site.”
While Evoenergy said it could not provide details about connections on “private electrical infrastructure, located on private property”, it explained its broader role in electricity supply and upgrades.
“Evoenergy is the ACT’s distribution network service provider (DNSP) and is responsible for maintaining and operating the electricity network up to the network boundary, which is located at the Point of Entry (POE) to a property,” a spokesperson said.
“Beyond the network boundary, electrical infrastructure, including any repairs, is the responsibility of the customer.”
The company also outlined the process for businesses seeking upgrades to their electricity connections, including the additional capacity required for fully electric commercial kitchens.
Once a completed application and the necessary technical information are received, Evoenergy said it generally has up to 65 business days to provide a connection offer, although timeframes may vary depending on additional information requirements.
Depending on the complexity of the work, the purchase of long-lead items, and the customer’s timeline, construction times can range from one to two months to more than 12 months.
“Everyone is pointing the finger at someone else in this fiasco,” Mr Chauvin said.
Mr Chauvin said he still wanted to make the switch, but hoped his experience would serve as a cautionary tale for other businesses, to look before they leapt into electrification.
“If I knew then what I know now, I would absolutely not have spent the money,” he said.
“I still think electricity is the future, but the government needs to have a more coordinated approach to ensure our local businesses are not left in the lurch.”
