Upgrade for electricity network in the eastern suburbs

23/04/07
The electricity network in the eastern suburbs will be improved and upgraded as part of the biggest works program ever undertaken by Western Power in Western Australia.
Energy Minister Francis Logan yesterday announced an unprecedented $3.5billion would be spent over the next four years on WA's main electricity network.
Mr Logan said residents in the eastern suburbs would benefit directly from the program, with funding now available for several key projects that would improve the service of electricity to the region.
They include:

• $8million for a new substation at Kewdale to improve reliability in the suburbs and to meet the expected load growth rate, particularly from industrial loads in Belmont and Welshpool;

• $3.7million to install a third transformer at the Darlington substation to meet the growing demand for power in this area;

• $4.7million at Rivervale substation and $2.8million at Kalamunda substation to a install third transformer at each substation to improve reliability and the amount of power being delivered to these areas; and

• $13.7million to build a new substation at Henley Brook and $3.3million to install a second transformer, improving power reliability in Ellenbrook and Henley Brook.

The Minister said the eastern suburbs would also benefit from the extra money to be spent on maintenance, the popular underground power program and the silicon coating of power-poles to reduce pole-top fires.
He said $93million would be spent to put more power lines underground, reducing outages caused by falling trees or bad weather, and another $9.6million would be spent on silicon coating pole-top equipment over the next two years.
More than $40million would be spent on wood pole replacements over the next two years, and an annual budget of $4.5million will be dedicated to fixing faulty streetlights.
"When this program is completed, it will mean $6.6billion has been spent on the electricity network since the election of the Labor Government in 2001," Mr Logan said.
"After decades of under investment, this is a major commitment by the Carpenter Government to the provision of a reliable and modern electricity network for all Western Australians.
"The Carpenter Government is making decisions for the future. We are working to ensure our strong economy is delivering better services to all Western Australians."
Western Power managing director Doug Aberle welcomed the funding, and said the money would enable the business to meet the demand of extraordinary economic growth.
"The incredible growth that has occurred in WA has put enormous pressure on the provision of many services, including electricity," Mr Aberle said.
"This funding will position us to meet this demand and to upgrade existing infrastructure to improve the overall service to our customers."
Minister's office - 9222 8950