Key partners have been unveiled for the delivery of Western Australia’s largest investment in electricity transmission infrastructure in more than a decade.
The State Government has awarded new contracts totalling $342 million, which Western Power said is an important milestone in Western Australia’s clean energy transition and phased coal exit by 2030.
The investment enables major upgrades to the northern section of the SWIS (South West Interconnected System), the electricity distribution network servicing Western Australia from Geraldton to Albany and east to Kalgoorlie.
The contracts signed with GenusPlus, UGL Engineering, and Acciona are part of a $584 million State Budget commitment for Western Power to undertake network upgrades and expansion as part of the Clean Energy Link – North program.
The Western Australian Government said it has now invested $1.6 billion in the State’s electricity network expansion.
Clean Energy Link – North includes high-capacity transmission lines, terminals, substations and transformers installed to unlock the flow of clean energy in the regions north of Perth.
The upgrade runs from Western Power’s Northern Terminal in Malaga to Three Springs.
These contracts will deliver a 26.5km overhead 132kV transmission line from Wangara to Neerabup Terminal, new 132kV and 330kV terminals and line within the existing network, including existing line conversions and upgrades.
The work also includes the design and construction of new bays and associated lines at Regans Ford, construction of a new terminal at Three Springs and upgrading the existing transmission network in and around the Northern, Neerabup and Eneabba Terminals.
The Western Australian Government said that more than 400 jobs will be created, with the upgraded transmission network able to take more renewable energy to service households and businesses.
Once complete Clean Energy Link – North is expected to make around 400MW of existing wind and another 1GW – enough to power around 500,000 homes – of new renewable energy available to customers across the SWIS and allow for more clean energy generation in the Mid-West.
This increased capacity is more than the output from the two largest state-owned coal-fired power stations (Muja D and Collie) – of just under 750MW combined.
Western Power CEO, Sam Barbaro, said the utility has undertaken extensive scoping and planning for this project, and these contracts will lay the groundwork for the next five years.
“We look forward to working with [Genus, Acciona and UGL] as they help us deliver the critical infrastructure needed to continue the transition of the network to cater for renewable energy growth towards net zero,” he said.
Western Australian Energy and Decarbonisation Minister, Amber-Jade Sanderson, said strengthening and expanding Western Australia’s main electricity network is fundamental in enabling industry and households to be powered by renewable energy from the Mid-West.
“It will mean industry can reliably and safely connect their wind, solar and battery projects to the transmission network, increasing the amount of renewables on our system, with the aim of doubling them by 2030,” she said.
“Clean Energy Link – North is pivotal and the start of our accelerated planning for future transmission corridors to unlock renewable energy across the state.
“Work on the next phases of our infrastructure investments is well progressed and will be released later in the year.
“We’re proud to have set a clear pathway for Western Australia’s energy transition which, in tandem with our plans to make more things here through our Made in WA plan, will bring more opportunities for businesses, job growth and economic diversification.” UGL Managing Director Doug Moss said: “UGL has delivered numerous renewable energy assets and installed more than 7,000km of transmission infrastructure across Australia – expertise we’re pleased to bring to Western Australia’s electricity network transformation. We’ll deliver a safe and quality outcome and provide opportunities for local businesses.”
Work will commence in 2025 and be completed in 2027.
