WA: Billions earmarked for power system upgrade

AAP General News (Australia)
04-22-2007
WA: Billions earmarked for power system upgrade

By Andrea Hayward

PERTH, April 22 AAP - More than $3 billion will be poured into upgrading and expanding
Western Australia's electricity network to keep up with continuing strong population growth.

Rural and regional communities have been suffering blackouts due to poor networks and
pole-top fires, being deprived of electricity for up to 36 hours at a time in the state's
south-west and wheatbelt.

WA Energy Minister Francis Logan said 11 new substations, while more than $1.3 billion
would boost the distribution network to cater for record demand growth and improve electricity
supply in Perth and throughout the south-west's electricity grid.

"That will allow us to cope with the amazing growth we've had in WA in the last two
years in the metropolitan area," he said.

"Last year, there were 30,000 new connections to homes, offices and industry."

Under the plan, $93 million will be spent on putting power lines underground to reduce
outages caused by falling trees and bad weather.

Managing director of Western Power, Doug Aberle, said the money would enable the WA
power utility to meet strong demand amid extraordinary economic growth after a period
of under-investment over many years.

"The incredible growth that has occurred in WA has put enormous pressure on the provision
of many services, including electricity," he said.

AAP/ah/jl/cdh

KEYWORD: POWER

2007 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.