The Government of Western Australia has a long-term goal to have at least half the houses in Perth supplied by underground power by 2010, with a corresponding improvement in regional areas of the State.
Forty-seven per cent of the metropolitan area is now serviced by underground power - a unique landmark achieved after more than 16 years. Energy Minster Francis Logan announced the landmark achievement on 16 May 2008 at an underground power project in Churchlands/Wembley Downs. Read the Minister's Statement.
The Underground Power Program is currently in Round Four - read more on about Round Four Major Residential Projects or Round Four Localised Enhancement Projects.
In Western Australia, all new metropolitan developments are required to have underground power. The first Perth subdivision with underground power was developed in 1972 but it was not until 1991 that it became mandatory for new subdivisions in Perth to have underground power.
In 1996, the State Government embarked on a program to convert older residential areas to underground power. The May 1994 storms, resulting in widespread blackouts across Perth, were a significant driver for this multi-million dollar initiative. The Government recognised that placing power cables underground (as opposed to on top of power poles) gave improved security of supply and safety in severe weather conditions.
The report of the inquiry into blackouts following the May 1994 storms found that 80 per cent of damage to power lines was caused by falling trees. While placing distribution lines underground would not eliminate all supply disruptions it would reduce the amount of damage and allow repair crews to concentrate on repairing any damage to the high voltage transmission system, which has more far-reaching effects.
A pilot program was initially conducted to provide technical, financial and administrative experience. This process was managed by the Underground Power Steering Committee, which was established by the Minister for Energy. Pilot projects were undertaken in Albany, Applecross, Cottesloe/Claremont and Wembley over a period from October 1996 to March 1999.
The pilot projects were allocated a total of $24 million from the State Government, Western Power and local government authorities, and saw around 7,000 households and businesses connected to underground power. The pilot program allowed the cost of undergrounding power to be more accurately established and confirmed the advantages of implementing an ongoing program.
On 5 January 1998, the Minister for Energy announced the State's commitment to the ongoing program. Shortly afterwards the process of inviting, assessing and accepting proposals for Round One of the Underground Power Program took place.
Funding for the Underground Power Program is comprised of 25% from the State Government, 25% from Western Power or Horizon Power and 50% from participating local governments.
The projects undertaken in the Underground Power Program are listed below.
Round One | |
| Major Residential Projects | Localised Enhancement Projects |
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Round Two | |
| Major Residential Projects | Localised Enhancement Projects |
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Round Three Projects To Be Undertaken | |
| Major Residential Projects | Localised Enhancement Projects |
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| Round Four Projects to be undertaken | |
| Major Residential Projects | Localised Enhancements Projects |
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Click on the links below to open Fact Sheets about Major Residential Projects:
Click on the links below to open galleries of before and after shots from MRPs and LEPs:
