Western Power (networks corporation)
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| State government owned | |
| Industry | Utility |
| Predecessor | Western Power |
| Founded | 1 April 2006 |
| Headquarters | Perth, Western Australia |
Area served | South West of Western Australia |
| Services | Electricity distribution |
| Owner | Government of Western Australia |
| Website |
www |
Western Power is a corporation owned by the Government of Western Australia. It was split from the vertical monopoly of Western Power Company in 2006 during reforms to the state's energy sector. The new company is registered as Electricity Networks Corporation but trades as Western Power. It is responsible for maintenance of power infrastructure in the area.
When the original Western Power was split it was separated into four independent companies:
- Western Power - manages the physical network that transports electricity. It operates in the south west of WA, including the Perth metropolitan area. Western Power does not generate electricity or send electricity bills to customers. Its role is to manage the poles, wires, substations and other infrastructure that brings electricity to homes and businesses in the South West Interconnected System (SWIS).
- Horizon Power - manages the physical network that transports electricity in the north and regional areas of WA. Horizon power is also responsible for electricity generation and billing.
- Synergy - the energy retailer that manages electricity accounts and is responsible for billing customers.
- Verve Energy - the generation business that produces electricity.
Western Power's network
Western Power operates the network known as the SWIS (South West Interconnected System). The SWIS reaches from Albany in the south, Kalbarri in the north and Kalgoorlie in the east of the state and includes the Perth metropolitan area.[1] The Western Power Network consists of more than 96,000 km of powerlines, 630,000 wood poles, 240,000 streetlights and almost 14,000 substations.
Ownership
Western Power is a Government Trading Enterprise (GTE). It operates as a private sector business, with the State Government as its owner and sole shareholder. This means that it has the autonomy to make decisions about managing and operating the South West Interconnected System, but is ultimately accountable to the State Government, specifically the Minister for Energy.
See also
References
- ↑ "SWIS Town Locations" (PDF). Western Power.
External links
- Government of Western Australia - Office of Energy
- Economic Regulation Authority of Western Australia
- Government of Western Australia - Office of Energy - Electricity Reform Implementation Unit
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