Western Power’s Targeted Underground Power Program (TUPP) is set to provide as many as 50,000 Western Australian properties with safer and more reliable power, as nine local governments have committed to the program.
Residents and businesses in the cities of Bayswater, Canning, Melville, Rockingham, Stirling, Swan, and Vincent and the towns of Bassendean and Victoria Park will be part of these 50,000 having recently signed memorandums of understanding (MOU) with Western Power to support undergrounding within their local government areas (LGA).
The areas identified in these LGAs are based on Western Power’s network driven approach, which targets the overhead distribution network with a higher density of assets that are due or becoming due for replacement.
The MOUs formalise the intent of Western Power, LGAs and the State Government regarding collaboration and development of the co-funded projects.
Scoping and planning works for some projects have begun with construction of the first project in Bassendean north set to begin in May 2024.
More than 100,000 properties in the South West Interconnected System have been converted from overhead distribution power lines to underground power since 1996.
Western Australia Energy Minister, Bill Johnston, said undergrounding provides many benefits including improved public safety, reliability, security and street appearance while increasing property values and reducing the need for street tree pruning. It also provides cost efficiencies as there are lower life-cycle costs and enables greater use of emerging technologies such as electric vehicles.
“Importantly, it creates safer environments with better lighting from efficient new LED streetlights.
“Western Power’s underground power programs are a significant enhancement to the electricity network and ensures our State Government continues to meet the energy needs of the community now and in the future.”
