A $1.3 million package of work to enhance power reliability for homes and business in the Wickepin area is now complete.
Acting Executive Manager of Asset Operations Brett Hovingh said the upgrades included the replacement of 45 poles and 3.6 kilometres of powerlines as well as upgrades to streetlights, insulators and crossarms.
“These upgrades will enhance the resilience of the network against external factors like severe storms, heatwaves, bushfires, vegetation and fauna which can damage network infrastructure leading to unplanned outages,” Mr Hovingh said.
“As part of this package of work we upgraded sections of powerline to covered conductor which helps to reduce bushfire risk and minimise the impact of vegetation and wildlife coming into contact with the network.
“We also replaced insulators, helping to reduce the risk of pole top fires and upgraded safety protection devices which helps to reduce the duration of outages for the community.”
The upgrades are part of the $1 billion investment Western Power makes each year to maintain and upgrade our network to manage safety, reliability and environmental risks.
During these essential network upgrades, we always work to minimise the impact on the community.
“While the upgrades were underway, we installed several emergency response generators to help maintain supply for customers and reduce the duration of any required planed outages,” Mr Hovingh said.
“Some planned power outages were necessary to complete the work safely and we thank the community for their patience while we upgraded the power infrastructure in their area.”