New contracts totaling $342 million have been signed to upgrade the electricity transmission network in Western Australia. This investment marks the largest upgrade in over ten years. It aims to support the state’s move to cleaner energy and reduce coal use by 2030.
The upgrades focus on the northern section of the South West Interconnected System (SWIS). This network supplies power from Geraldton to Albany and east to Kalgoorlie. The contracts were awarded to UGL Engineering, Acciona, and GenusPlus. The work is part of the Clean Energy Link - North program, supported by a $584 million budget from Western Power.
The project includes building new high-capacity transmission lines, terminals, substations, and transformers. It stretches from the Northern Terminal in Malaga to Three Springs. The upgrade will add a 26.5 km overhead 132kV transmission line between Wangara and Neerabup Terminal. New terminals at 132kV and 330kV will be added, along with line conversions and upgrades.
Construction will include new bays and lines at Regans Ford, a new terminal at Three Springs, and improvements around the Northern, Neerabup, and Eneabba Terminals. The upgrades are expected to create over 400 jobs.
This work will allow more renewable energy to flow through the network. About 400 megawatts of existing wind power and 1,000 megawatts of new renewable energy will be available to homes and businesses. One gigawatt can power roughly 500,000 homes. The new capacity exceeds the combined output of the state’s two largest coal power stations.
The Clean Energy Link - North project is a key step in increasing renewable energy use in Western Australia. It will help connect wind, solar, and battery projects safely and reliably to the grid. The upgrades also prepare for future expansions to bring more clean energy across the state.