Minister lights up massive new substation

19/12/06
A massive new terminal substation for Perth - capable of supplying the electricity needs of 275,000 homes - was officially energised today by Energy Minister Francis Logan.
The $27.5million Guildford facility is only the third terminal substation built in the metropolitan area.
Mr Logan said the substation would help meet the growing demand for electricity in Perth and the South-West.
The facility would receive power directly from generators within the electricity grid and distribute it to smaller substations for dispersal to homes and businesses.
"With Western Australia's booming economy, the State Government has committed a record $2.3billion to improving power infrastructure," the Minister said.
"This commitment is helping us to meet the increased electricity demand, and also improve reliability."
Mr Logan said another 11 important new substations and terminals would come on line over the next 12 months, at a cost of $135.3million.
These included the $7.5million Southern River substation and the $24million Oakley Terminal, which had been completed in time for the summer peak.
"Another five - Padbury ($6.1million), Kenwick ($24million), Murdoch ($6.5million), Clarkson ($6.8million) and Rangeway Geraldton ($11.8million) - are due to be completed before summer ends," the Minister said.
"By the end of 2007, another four are expected to be completed at Bentley ($15.5millon), Waikiki ($12.9million), Henley Brook ($9.3million) and Bibra Lake ($10.9million)."
Mr Logan said the Guildford terminal substation included a 550MVA-330/132kV transformer, one of only five in use in the metropolitan area.
He said this would help the Guildford facility reduce the load currently carried by the northern and southern terminal substations at Malaga and Bibra Lake.
Western Power managing director Doug Aberle said Western Power's upgrade and expansion program had doubled over the past two years in the wake of the unprecedented demand for electricity created by the State's economic boom.
"In 2002-03, Western Power carried out a $307million works program dedicated to upgrading and expanding the network. This financial year, we are spending $646million," Mr Aberle said.
Minister's office - 9222 8950