Western Power upgrading distribution transformers in Perth and Peel ahead of potential extreme summer weather

An army of transformers is being rolled out to help Western Power fight outages ahead of “potential extreme weather conditions” over summer. Western Power hopes it’s got the touch with improvements to 70 distribution transformers in the South West Interconnected System, including 43 in the Perth and Peel region. Distribution transformers convert the high voltage used in power lines to a lower voltage that is suitable for residential use and are a vital part of the electricity grid, helping to light households’ darkest hour. Western Power east operations manager Ben Vasiliauskas said the upgrades were part of an extensive package of works that aimed to minimise fire risk, strengthen network resilience and improve reliability. “With the Bureau of Meteorology signalling increased risk of heatwaves and bushfires this year, Western Power is ensuring the network is as prepared as possible for potential extreme weather conditions,” he said. “We’re working hard to reinforce network infrastructure in preparation for this, including upgrading ageing equipment and improving the capacity of our assets. “The upgrading of these transformers will help manage overload as these assets have previously experienced or are forecast to experience extremely high demand.” Mr Vasiliauskas said the company could not “guarantee 100 per cent reliability” but was “doing everything we can to improve network resilience to minimise the duration and number of unplanned outages”. “Our crews are working to complete the upgrades as quickly as possible to prepare for the warmer weather but some sites are more complex than others so they may take more time to complete,” he said. “The majority of the transformers in the Perth and Peel region will be upgraded by the end of the year, with the remaining to be completed by early 2024.” The transformers being upgraded are in Bayswater, Claremont, Cockburn, Joondalup, Mandurah, Melville, Mundaring, Perth, Rockingham, South Perth, Stirling, Vincent and Wanneroo.