Options

Currently there are five feasible options being investigated but this may increase or decrease as more information becomes available. 

Option OCM

Establish a new 132kV O’Connor Substation (opposite the existing O’Connor substation on the corner of Garling Street and Bowen Street) and convert the existing Myaree Substation (Corner Kitchener Road and Norma Road, Booragoon) from 66kV to 132kV using standard 132/22 kV, 33 MVA transformers and a 132/66 kV, 100 MVA transformer

In laymans:  establish a new substation at O’Connor and convert the existing Myaree substation

Key considerations:

  • O’Connor substation is zoned as industrial use, whilst the existing Myaree substation and adjacent blocks are zoned a combination of residential and mixed business.
  • A substation already exists at the Myaree location, with the option seeing the size of the existing substation extending to encompass recently purchased adjoining land.
  • On completion of the new O’Connor substation, the existing O’Connor substation would be decommissioned.  Note these sites are opposite each other on Garling Street.
  • Western Power notes that previously, some residents in Myaree were sent correspondence indicating that the Myaree and O’Connor upgrade option was the finalised solution.  It should be noted that this is not the case, and it is only one of a number of options being considered for the entire area.
  • This is a short term solution. Based on load forecasts additional works would be required to reinforce the region, shortly after completion.
  • Preliminary investigations indicate that the required infrastructure (e.g. transformers, etc) for this solution might not meet noise regulations at the existing Myaree substation, therefore unless current investigations can find an acceptable resolution to mitigate this issue then this option may not be deemed feasible.
  • This project would carry a high cost due to space restrictions.
  • This option would require additional works to network infrastructure (e.g. lines, etc) to occur within the surrounding suburbs.

Option NOC

Establish a new 132kV substation at the additional Western Power owned O’Connor site located on the corners of Garling and Bowen Streets using standard 132/22 kV, 33 MVA transformers and a 132/66 kV, 100 MVA transformer

In layman's:  establish a new substation at O’Connor

Key considerations:

  • The land for the O’Connor substation site is zoned for industrial usage.
  • This is a long term solution.
  • The possibility of noise issues for this option requires further technical and design analysis by Western Power engineers.
  • Western Power owned site.
  • The site has adequate space which means substation design and construction would be more cost effective.
  • The 66kV O’Connor substation currently exists opposite this site, potentially reducing the costs of connecting to the surrounding networks.
  • The existing O’Connor and Myaree substations are retained.

Option NPM

Establish a new substation in Palmyra

Key considerations:

  • Studies indicate that Palmyra consists mainly of medium density residential development.
  • The possibility of noise issues for this option requires further technical and design analysis by Western Power engineers once a site has been identified.
  • Western Power is investigating the purchase of land in Palmyra for addressing long term reinforcement requirements of the area, above and beyond even the current challenge that is now tabled.  However, pending investigation and acquisition of suitable land within the area, Western Power may consider utilising such land as a resolution option for the current shorter termed 2016 regional power challenge.
  • Possible site options within Palmyra, once identified, will require a constraints analysis to assess the technical and cost assumptions in integrating any infrastructure into the network – for example, the size of the land could markedly change the technical solutions that are able to be utilised, as would the surrounding existing line infrastructure and proximity to other substations.
  • The existing O’Connor and Myaree substations are retained.

Option BIC

Establish a new substation at the Western Power owned site:  24 Fifth Street, Bicton

View aerial shot or zoomed in shot.

Key considerations:

  • The site is currently used as public open space, and is zoned residential.
  • Facilities such as a primary school and day-care facility exist in close proximity to the site.
  • Provides a long term solution for additional local network capacity.
  • No noise mitigation issues have currently been raised for this solution.
  • This is a Western Power owned site and no new site acquisition would be required.
  • High project costs due to space restrictions on the site.
  • Lines entering the substation may need to be laid underground as they will be traversing medium density residential areas, adding substantially to the overall cost. Note the distance of the line work will be substantial and run between the proposed Bicton substation and the existing Amherst and O’Connor substations.
  • The existing O’Connor and Myaree substations are retained. 

Option DOM

Establish a new 132kV O’Connor Substation (opposite the existing O’Connor substation on the corner of Garling Street and Bowen Street) using standard 132/22 kV 33 MVA transformers, and establishing a new 132kV Myaree substation at an industrial site on the corner of McCoy Street and Norma Road using standard 132/22 kV, 33 MVA transformers and a 132/66 kV, 100 MVA transformer.

In laymen's:  Establish a new substation at O’Connor and a new substation at Myaree

Key considerations:

  • Zoning around the new Myaree McCoy site is stated as mixed business, whilst the O’Connor site is noted as being industrial.
  • This is a short term solution. Based on load forecasts additional works would be required shortly after completion.
  • The possibility of noise issues for this option requires further technical and design analysis by Western Power engineers.
  • On completion of the new O’Connor and Myaree substations, the existing O’Connor and Myaree substations would be decommissioned.  Note the existing O’Connor substation is located on the opposite side of Garling Street to the proposed new one, whilst the existing Myaree substation is located on the corner of Kitchener and Norma Roads in Booragoon.  For a longer term solution, the existing Myaree substation may need to be retained which could result in extensive 132kV line works to supply the new substation on McCoy Street.  However, please note that should a long term solution of this nature be seriously considered then it would be published on this site as a new option.   This option, Option DOM, does involve decommissioning the existing Myaree substation.
  • The new proposed Myaree site at McCoy Street is not Western Power owned, and would therefore carry an additional cost.
  • The new Myaree site at McCoy Street will require reconfiguration of existing transmission lines within the surrounding suburbs.