Underground power
WA’s electrical network including the Perth CBD, was originally constructed overhead, but over time new technology has allowed us to move the network in high density areas to underground.
When did this all start?
In 1991 the State Government made a change that saw the network for all new urban subdivisions be placed underground. Following major storms and outages in 1996, the idea of moving existing overhead networks underground heightened, and the State Underground Power Program (SUPP) was established.
Today, there are three programs running to change the overhead network to underground power:
Network Renewal Undergrounding Program Pilot (NRUPP) – these are driven by us and target areas with a high density of aging overhead assets.
State Underground Power Program (SUPP) – the cost of undergrounding is shared between the State Government, Western Power, Local Government Authorities (LGAs) and property owners.
Retrospective Undergrounding Projects (RUP) – these are generally funded directly by LGAs or land developers.
More homes and businesses in the Town of Cambridge now have improved power reliability and enhanced streetscapes due to the conversion from overhead to underground power.
Is my area switching to underground power?
Check the list below to see if your area is moving to underground power now or in the near future. We’ll update the list with start and finish dates as projects progress.
Our guide to what’s happening in your area will help you understand what’s involved and how it may impact you. Still have questions? Read our FAQs to learn more.
Note – Project timelines are subject to change.
| Local government updates | State Underground Power Program | City of Melville |
| Project type | |
| Completed | Quarter 2, 2020 |
| Map of affected area | Download map |
| Local government updates | Town of Victoria Park |
| Project type | |
| Scheduled start date | Quarter 1, 2020 |
| Scheduled completion date | Quarter 2, 2021 |
| Map of affected area | Download map |
| Local government | Town of Claremont |
| Project type | |
| Completed | Quarter 2, 2019 |
| Map of affected area | Download map |
| Local government updates | Underground Power | City of South Perth |
| Project type | |
| Scheduled start date | Quarter 1, 2021 |
| Scheduled completion date | Quarter 4, 2021 |
| Map of affected area | Download map |
| Local government | Town of Bassendean |
| Project type | |
| Scheduled start date | Quarter 1, 2021 |
| Scheduled completion date | Quarter 2, 2022 |
| Map of affected area | Download map |
| Local government | Town of Cambridge |
| Local government updates | State Underground Power Round 6 | Town of Cambridge |
| Project type | |
| Completion date | Quarter 3, 2019 |
| Map of affected area | Download map |
| Local government | Town of Cambridge |
| Project type | |
| Local government updates | State Underground Power Round 6 | Town of Cambridge |
| Completion date | Quarter 3, 2019 |
| Map of affected area | Download map |
| Local government | Town of Cambridge |
| Local government updates | State Underground Power Round 6 | Town of Cambridge |
| Project type | |
| Completion date | Quarter 4, 2019 |
| Map of affected area | Download map |
| Local government | Town of Fremantle |
| Project type | |
| Map of affected area | Download map |
| Local government updates | State Underground Power Program | City of Melville |
| Project type | |
| Scheduled start date | TBC |
| Scheduled completion date | TBC |
| Map of affected area | Download map |
| Local government updates | Underground Power | City of South Perth |
| Project type | |
| Scheduled start date | Quarter 3, 2021 |
| Scheduled completion date | Quarter 3, 2022 |
| Map of affected area | Download map |
| Local government | City of Bayswater |
| Project type | |
| Scheduled start date | Quarter 2, 2021 |
| Scheduled completion date | Quarter 3, 2022 |
| Map of affected area | Download map |
| Local government updates | State Underground Power Program | City of Melville |
| Project type | |
| Completed | Quarter 2, 2020 |
| Map of affected area | Download map |
| Local government updates | City of Stirling |
| Project type | |
| Completion date | Quarter 1, 2020 |
| Map of affected area | Download map |
| Local government | City of Nedlands |
| Project type | |
| Local government updates | Underground Power | City of Nedlands |
| Completed | Quarter 1, 2019 |
| Map of affected area | Download map |
| Local government | City of Stirling |
| Project type | |
| Map of affected area | Download map |
| Local government updates | State Underground Power Program | City of Canning |
| Project type | |
| Scheduled start date | Quarter 3, 2020 |
| Scheduled completion date | Quarter 2, 2021 |
| Map of affected area | Download map |
| Local government | City of Cockburn |
| Project type | |
| Scheduled start date | Quarter 2, 2021 |
| Scheduled completion date | Quarter 2, 2022 |
| Map of affected area | Download map |
| Local government updates | Underground Power | City of South Perth |
| Project type | |
| Scheduled start date | Quarter 4, 2021 |
| Scheduled completion date | Quarter 1, 2023 |
| Map of affected area | Download map |
| Local government | Town of Victoria Park |
| Project type | |
| Map of affected area | Download map |
To allow underground power works to be completed along West Coast Drive, a southbound lane closure between Giles Street and Kathleen Street is required.
The lane closure will be in effect from 9am to 7pm from Wednesday 12th August until Friday 28th August. Detours will be in place. Travel will be allowed in this area outside of these hours (before 9am and after 7pm).
If this lane closure directly impacts you as a local resident, you will have already received notification by letter. We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience.
| Local government updates | Underground Power | City of Stirling |
| Project type | |
| Scheduled start date | Quarter 1, 2020 |
| Scheduled completion date | Quarter 2, 2021 |
| Map of affected area | Download map |
| Local government updates | Underground Power Project | Town of Victoria Park |
| Project type | |
| Scheduled start date | Quarter 4, 2020 |
| Scheduled completion date | Quarter 3, 2021 |
| Map of affected area | Download map |
| Local government updates | Underground Power Project | Town of Victoria Park |
| Project type | |
| Scheduled start date | Quarter 1, 2020 |
| Scheduled completion date | Quarter 2, 2021 |
| Map of affected area | Download map |
| Local government | Town of Cambridge |
| Project type | |
| Local government updates | State Underground Power Round 6 | Town of Cambridge |
| Completion date | Quarter 2, 2020 |
| Map of affected area | Download map |