Project history and statistics
Project history
Damage caused by falling trees during severe storms in 1994 promoted the State Government to embark on the underground power program. A Steering Committee, consisting of representatives from the Office of Energy, Western Power and the WA Local Government Association, was established to manage the program.
Pilot projects, involving 7,000 households were successfully carried out in Applecross, Albany, Cottesloe/Claremont and Wembley between 1996 and 1999.
In 1998, the Energy Minister announced that the program would continue and invited local councils to nominate areas to be included. The selected projects became Round One of the Underground Power Program (UPP).
So far, 39 major residential projects have been completed in the pilot projects and in Rounds 1-4. 10 new Round 5 projects were announced in December 2010 and will be constructed between 2011 and 2014. A major residential project typically includes 600 to 1000 residential lots.
Project statistics
- 39 residential projects and 29 Localised Enhancement Projects have been completed in the Underground Power Program, costing $257 million.
- Power supplies to 74,000 electricity meters are now underground, as a result of the Underground Power Program.
- This represents around 16% per cent of the overhead distribution network that existed when the program began in 1996.
- The combination of all our underground power initiatives means more than 51% of the Perth metropolitan area is now underground.
- The State Government and Western Power each contribute about $5 million to the Underground Power Program annually.
