Reliability and capacity
Western Power has a major program of works to improve the reliability of power supplies and the capacity of the network to accommodate the high rate of growth in the State.
The State Government has allocated $2.23 billion for spending on the electricity network over the next four years. Over this time, we expect overall reliability to improve by 25%.
These are some of our projects to improve reliability and capacity.
Replacing wood poles with steel
In the coming year we will begin a $1.5 million program to replace wooden poles with steel poles in high risk areas. This will help reduce pole top fires and help reduce pole damage from bushfires and storms. Each year we replace about 2000 poles because they are old or damaged. Steel poles will now be used as part of this replacement program.
Rural power improvement program
The $48 million four-year Rural power improvement program will improve reliability for about 43,000 rural customers.
Emergency response generators
Western Power has developed a fleet of Emergency response generators which are used to reduce 'down time' for customers when power is interrupted for maintenance work, or while we repair damage on the network, after a storm - for example.
Underground power
We have several strategies aimed at reducing the amount of overhead infrastructure and replacing it with more reliable underground power.
New substations
Installing new substations allows us to reduce the length of feeder lines. Shorter feeders are more reliable. New substations also increase capacity - or the network's ability to transport more electricity to meet increasing demand. For information about new substation projects, see Current Projects and Planned Substations.
Preventing overloads
Sometimes the local, low voltage network can become overloaded, especially during very hot weather. This is usually because houses in the area are using more air conditioning or other appliances, or there has been a lot of infill development. Western Power is identifying distribution transformers and low voltage lines which may be prone to overloads, and upgrading them.
Replacing overhead service connections
Replacing overhead service connections will improve the safety and reliability of the connection between the lines in the street and your house.
Ongoing maintenance
Western Power has increased its preventive maintenance program to include:
- Increased silicone-coating of pole top equipment to reduce pole top fires.
- Additional pole top inspections and patrols of overhead lines.
- Additional routine maintenance of power pole bases, particularly inspection of wood condition and chemical treatment of wood rot or termite infestation.
- A significant boost to vegetation maintenance to reduce bushfire risk.
Major transmission works
This year we will spend $190 million on the transmission network. The transmission network transports 'bulk' electricity and operates at very high voltages.
This work, which includes building new 132 kilovolt and 330 kilovolt lines and substations, will allow us to meet future growth in population and demand.
Connecting new customers
WA is experiencing steady growth, particularly in the area of new residential subdivisions. These in turn drive commercial and industrial development. To support this growth, we expect to spend $210 million over the next four years connecting new domestic and commercial customers.
Manager Network Performance
Western Power
GPO Box L921
PERTH WA 6842
Phone: 08 9326 6292
Online: feedback form
