$342m in new contracts awarded for electricity transmission upgrades in WA

A total of $342 million in new contracts have been awarded as part of the Western Australian Government’s largest investment in electricity transmission infrastructure in over 10 years. 

The contracts signed with GenusPlus, UGL Engineering, and Acciona are part of the $584 million State Budget commitment for Western Power to deliver network upgrades and expansion as part of the Clean Energy Link – North program. 

This marks a major milestone in Western Australia’s transition to clean energy and phased coal exit by 2030. 

The significant investment will enable major upgrades to be undertaken to the northern section of the South West Interconnected System (SWIS), which is the electricity distribution network servicing the State from Geraldton to Albany as well as east to Kalgoorlie. 

“Strengthening and expanding WA’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. 

“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 WA’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,” Energy and Decarbonisation Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said. 

Clean Energy Link – North will install high-capacity transmission lines, terminals, substations and transformers to help unlock the flow of clean energy in the regions north of Perth. 

The works will be carried out from Western Power’s Northern Terminal in Malaga to Three Springs. 

The new contract awards enable the delivery of a 26.5-kilometre 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. 

Other works will include the design and construction of new bays and associated lines at Regans Ford, construction of a new terminal at Three Springs and upgrades to the existing transmission network in and around the Northern, Neerabup and Eneabba terminals. 

These works are anticipated to create more than 400 jobs. 

Once completed, the upgraded transmission network will allow more renewable energy to service households and businesses across the region. 

Clean Energy Link – North will make about 400MW of existing wind and another 1GW of new renewable energy available to customers across the SWIS while also allowing for more clean energy generation in the Mid West. 

The increased capacity is more than the output from the two largest State-owned coal-fired power stations (Muja D and Collie), which only generates just under 750MW combined. 

To date, the Western Australian Government has invested $1.6 billion in the State’s electricity network expansion. 

Source: Government of Western Australia – Media Statements; Western Power (1, 2); Roads & Infrastructure Australia