Guildford to Southern terminal transmission line

Guildford Terminal to Southern Terminal 330 kV Transmission Reinforcement

Western Power is committed to ensuring the power reliability and security for residents in the south west interconnected system (SWIS).

Project Update – November 2010

In order to provide additional security to the Western Power transmission network, it was identified that reinforcement works were required between Guildford Terminal located in Hazelmere and Southern Terminal located in Bibra Lake.

The need for the reinforcement work was based to a large degree on an increase in generation capacity within the south west. The project was required to reinforce the bulk transmission ties between the south west and the Perth metropolitan area.

Our recent review of the network indicates that there is more power generation to the north which has allowed us to explore more efficient and diverse network options which may not require the reinforcement of the existing line within the next decade, therefore resulting in the deferral for the need for this transmission line at this time.

In line with Western Power’s sustainability policy, if and when a need is identified for the project, a full review of network and non-network options will be considered. We will continue to review the need for the project in consultation with key government and industry stakeholders.

As new information on the requirement for the project develops, landowners along the existing Guildford Terminal to Southern Terminal transmission line and the community will be kept informed through written correspondence and community sessions.

As part of our regular review of development throughout the state and the demand for power supply, we review all projects and prioritise projects to ensure the reliability and security of our network. Our plans always need to be flexible as changes to usage patterns, connection needs and forecasts mean that we often need to delay, advance or alter projects to meet the identified needs at any given time.

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Background

In 1974 the State Electricity Commission installed a 330 kV transmission line between its Northern Terminal substation in Malaga and Southern Terminal substation in Bibra Lake. In 2006 the Guildford Terminal substation in Hazelmere was established and cut into the Northern Terminal to Southern Terminal 330 kV transmission line, to form the Guildford Terminal to Southern Terminal 330 kV transmission line and the Guildford Terminal to Northern Terminal 330 kV transmission line.

Project outline

The long 330 kV transmission lines that connect power generators to the South West Interconnected System are limited in the amount of electricity they are capable of transporting. The transfer of power from generators to the Perth metropolitan area requires substantial reactive support at the bulk load supply points.  Increasing the loading of these 330 kV lines will significantly increase the reactive power required to maintain stable network operation. 

One option to increase the effectiveness and enhance the capability of the network is to strengthen the connection between Southern and Northern Terminals.  This would involve stringing the second side of the transmission line between Southern Terminal and Guildford Terminal (Hazelmere) and upgrading an existing line from Guildford Terminal to Northern Terminal.

The existing 330 kV transmission line between Southern Terminal and Guildford Terminal (GLT-ST 91) is partially constructed using double circuit towers, however there are some sections of the transmission line that consists of low profile single circuit towers.

Community engagement

Effective community involvement requires an open dialogue between Western Power and interested members of the community as an integral part of project planning and decision-making.

In order to start raising awareness about the project within the community, it was included in the Eastern Corridor Project Suite (ECPS). The ECPS comprises a number of individual projects that are related through geographic and infrastructure links throughout the Perth Hills and foothills. These projects have been managed as a suite of projects, particularly with respect to stakeholder engagement, to maintain consistency, maximise transparency and build better relationships with community and stakeholders.

Seven community outreach sessions were hosted in the Perth eastern metropolitan corridor in the Councils of Mundaring, Kalamunda, Swan, Gosnells, Armadale, Cockburn and Serpentine/Jarrahdale. The purpose of the sessions was to promote interest in and knowledge of Western Power’s ECPS projects and power issues in general; and to engage community members willing to participate in project-specific community engagement processes.

In addition to discussing this project at the outreach sessions, specific project information sessions were held on 6 and 29 October 2009 to advise residents in the Shire of Kalamunda who have easements on their land, about the project. A third session was held on Tuesday 9 February 2010 that invited all the residents living along the existing GLT – ST transmission line to present the list of options before we start researching them in detail. A fourth session was held on Wednesday 24 November to follow up on the ECPS projects and to announce the project deferral.

Contact us

Given that there is a large project team responsible for this project (including staff from approvals and development, planning, technical, environmental, land management and community engagement) all phone enquiries are being directed to 13 10 87. Your specific question will be then sent to the most appropriate team member to respond to.

Or you can contact the following key contacts on the details below.

If you have a current easement registered on your property title and you would like to discuss this further, please contact Mandy Martin on the details below.

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