WA Treasurer and Energy Minister, Dr Mike Nahan, has officially declared one of Australia’s largest powerline projects in 25 years, Western Power’s Mid West Energy Project, ready to be opened.
The project involved the construction of one of Australias largest 330,000 volt powerlines, which transports electricity 190 kilometres from Perth to the Mid West.
Western Power’s CEO Paul Italiano said the new powerline was the largest built in WA since the line to Kalgoorlie was constructed in the mid-1980s.
“To deliver one of the State’s largest infrastructure projects under the $406 million budget set for the project is a significant achievement.
“The project required extensive consultation with landowners, environmental approvals, a new line route to be planned, the old 132kV wood pole powerline to be dismantled, and access tracks to be constructed, all before the 388 lattice steel towers and almost 2,900 kilometres of powerlines could be installed.
“The average height of the transmission towers is 58 metres, with the tallest reaching 70 metres. To put this into perspective, our 11 floor Wellington Street building is 59 metres tall.”
The average weight of each tower is 24 tonnes. Approximately 9,300 tonnes of steel was used – almost the same weight combined as the Eiffel Tower.
The new line provides a 500 megawatt increase in the capacity of the network in the Mid West, which will increase the potential for industry growth in the region, and provide the potential for the expansion of local industries and economies.
Importantly, it will facilitate the connection of renewable generation opportunities, particularly wind, and future gas-powered generation.
