All Future of the grid FAQs
Clean Energy Link - North
Western Australia’s Mid-West region has an abundance of wind and solar and the State Government is committed to ensuring these renewable energy resources are harnessed to achieve its decarbonisation goals. Home to two wind farms, and with above average number of sunny days per year, this region has the potential to serve as a significant source of clean energy for the South West Interconnected System (SWIS), and power WA towards net zero emissions by 2050.
To unlock the capacity of the network’s northern region and transport greater amounts of renewable energy, we need to upgrade parts of the existing 132 kV and 330 kV transmission network.
This is a critical first step to ensuring the network can connect and transport a greater supply of clean energy to meet future energy demand.
Network strengthening will involve augmenting transmission infrastructure and undertaking essential reinforcement work, leveraging existing network infrastructure, corridors, and easements where possible to minimise impacts on communities and cultural, social, and environmental values.
State Government funding of $575 million has been provided to increase capacity and enable new renewable energy to come online by:
- Potential new 330 kV double circuit transmission line following current transmission lines located within existing easements, from Northern Terminal in Malaga to Neerabup Terminal (substation) in Pinjar.
- Potential new single circuit 132 kV transmission line between Padbury and Wangara Substations, supported by proposed new 330 kV transmission lines and upgrades to terminals and substations.
- Potential new double circuit 132 kV transmission line between the Wangara Substation and Neerabup Terminal to improve the flow of renewable energy to and from the north region. This will be supported by proposed new 132 kV transmission lines and upgrades to terminals and substations.
- Potential new line to T-off from existing network infrastructure on a 132 kV line between Northern Terminal and Northam to connect Henley Brook Substation. The new line will be supported by new 132 kV transmission lines and upgrades to terminals and substations.
- Potential 132kV to 330kV line conversion between Northern Terminal and Three Springs Terminal to improve the flow of renewable energy to and from the area. This will be supported by new 132kV terminals at Three Springs Terminal and Eneabba Terminal and a new 330kV terminal within in the vicinity of the existing Regans Substation.
The State Government is investing $655 million for Western Power to scope, plan and construct new transmission infrastructure to strengthen the existing northern network.
This includes the initial $60 million for the purchase of long lead items and $20 million for scoping and planning work.
Early planning and scoping, and feasibility studies are underway to facilitate network planning, land access and concept designs; as well as procuring long-lead items.
The timeline for each program of work will vary depending on results of relevant scoping surveys and assessments, community engagement and final line route designs.
The construction target date is 2027. Indicative timelines can be found on our website.
To identify a potential route for a transmission line, we begin by identifying start and end points, which usually are a terminal or substation.
We then define a suitable area to further scope, taking into consideration existing transmission lines and Western Power easements, where possible to minimise impacts.
We work with landowners, communities, environmental groups and other key stakeholders to better understand local considerations.
This includes carrying out rigorous environmental and cultural heritage assessments.
At a minimum, we consider the following:
- Environmental factors
Robust and thorough environmental assessments are essential in assessing any potential work. This includes flora and fauna surveys to ensure we meet State and Federal Government requirements. - Social, heritage and planning factors
We seek input from relevant planning departments, including local government. We undertake cultural heritage surveys to consider Aboriginal cultural heritage values. - Economic factors
As a Government Trading Enterprise we must always undertake a cost benefits analysis to ensure we are serving the best interests of the community.
We factor this in from planning solutions, efficient design to construction and ongoing maintenance and access.
For some of the potential line routes for the northern expansion, we have begun proactively consulting local governments, and engaging local communities through targeted direct communications and on-site and drop-in community sessions.
We will continue to keep communities updated via our website on future engagement opportunities and the outcomes of cultural heritage and environmental impact assessments.
The potential new transmission lines will be overhead, which is consistent with the existing transmission infrastructure and enables it to be built at the most efficient cost.
Undergrounding transmission lines is extremely costly.
Along with the investment to enhancing the northern network, the State Government is supporting Western Power to commence further planning for network expansion in other areas of the SWIS.
An additional $133 million of funding will go towards planning, early works and purchasing long lead items in the north, east, south, and central Kwinana area.
No specific line routes for future transmission build have been identified at this stage and community engagement will be undertaken before they are (see below information on PoweringWA )
In addition to Western Power’s commitment to working with landowners, communities, environmental groups and other key stakeholders to better understand local considerations, the State Government is creating a new specialist entity, called PoweringWA, to guide this important period in the energy transition.
PoweringWA will coordinate the actions needed to deliver the electricity infrastructure that will ensure customers connected to the SWIS have a reliable and low emissions electricity supply.
It will streamline the development of transmission, renewable electricity generation and energy storage projects.
Importantly it will support engagement with communities and First Nations people to ensure they benefit from this transition and will ensure robust foundations are in place for investment in electricity infrastructure, such as potential renewable generation hubs.
PoweringWA is being set up early so the community can be a part of the energy transition journey.
Western Power and PoweringWA will work closely together on transmission infrastructure planning, with Western Power continuing to be responsible for delivery.
The community and industry want more renewable energy to reduce their carbon footprint and the network needs to facilitate this by connecting greater renewable energy generation.
Forecasted energy demand points to a significant expansion of our transmission network. To meet the anticipated new load, a significant number of renewable generators will need to connect to our network.
We provided input to the State Government’s SWIS Demand Assessment (SWISDA), which was released in May 2023 and modelled the potential increased demand for low-emissions electricity on the grid.
Significant consultation with major electricity users from a wide variety of existing and new industry sectors was undertaken as part of SWISDA. This included mining, minerals and metals processing and hydrogen, as well as renewable energy project developers.
The SWISDA report suggested that around 50 gigawatts of renewable energy and storage would be required to support the increased electricity demand and that around 4,000km of new transmission infrastructure would be required to transport that electricity from where it is generated, to where it is used.
Keeping the lights on is fundamental to our business - the community is our primary beneficiary.
Investments in the transmission network will improve system reliability.
They are complemented by our investment in the distribution network to improve location specific reliability performance.
We’re continuing to use and deploy new technologies to ensure the most cost-effective solution that maintains (and in many cases improves) the safety and reliability of our service.
We continue to deploy Stand-alone Power Systems and microgrids in regional areas. In higher density areas, we are undergrounding our ageing overhead network.
Improving reliability continues to be a priority and in the past year we completed the significant work required to address this.
Regans Terminal
Based on extensive scientific research and guidance from leading health authorities, there is no established evidence of significant health risks associated with living near terminal stations or other electrical infrastructure.
Terminal stations are designed to ensure EMF levels are below international standard reference levels in all areas during operation.
No, terminal stations are designed with safety as a top priority and are built with rigorous measures in place to ensure they don’t pose any risks to surrounding areas.
If there is a fault on site, including from a major fire emergency, automatic protections systems will shut down the terminal to removes any electrical safety risks. Terminal stations are generally remotely operated and can be shut down remotely if required.
Yes. The EMF levels from our terminal stations are well within the safe exposure limits set by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP).
EMF is carefully considered in the planning, location and operation of our network assets, including terminal stations. Western Power is guided by Australian and international health authorities and take a precautionary approach, in line with the Energy Network Australia EMF Management Handbook.
This includes applying industry best practice methods to our engineering and design solutions to reduce or mitigate EMF exposure.
For more information visit Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA)
Yes. While a terminal station may look imposing, they are designed and built with safety as a top priority. They are carefully monitored and maintained to ensure they operate safely and reliably.
Here are reasons why living or working near a terminal station is safe:
- Safety standards: these facilities are built and operated to strict safety standards.
- Minimal electromagnetic fields: while there are electromagnetic fields around any electrical equipment, the levels near substations are well below any health concerns.
- Regular maintenance: regular inspections and maintenance ensure the equipment is in optimal condition.
- Fencing and security: terminal stations are surrounded by fences to prevent unauthorised access.
While it's important to respect the boundaries of a terminal station, living nearby poses no significant health risks.
As Western Australia moves towards a cleaner energy future, terminals are becoming increasingly important for renewable energy integration. They serve as vital transmission connection points for large-scale renewable energy projects, such as wind and solar farms, and the efficient flow of the energy generated from these sources into the network.
We’re working on transforming the transmission network, including new and upgraded terminals, to support large-scale energy generation needed to enable the clean energy transition.
Terminal stations are vital components of the electricity network, connecting power They're like major intersections or junctions, managing the flow and voltage levels of electricity around the transmission network and help keep the network stable to provide a safe and reliable electricity supply.
They perform two primary functions:
- Voltage Transformation: they step down high-voltage electricity from . They also convert electricity to higher voltages for bulk transfer across large distances to industrial customers. This function is essential for ensuring safe and efficient power delivery.
- Network Reliability: they enhance the overall reliability of the power system by connecting multiple transmission lines, providing redundant power routes and ensuring a continuous power supply even during maintenance or outages.
With 29 terminal stations in WA’s main electricity network, you might have spotted one on your travels. These fenced-off areas, filled with impressive electrical equipment, are essential to keeping the lights on.