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Esperance ugprades

Work continues to improve reliability to customers in Esperance, Hopetoun and Norseman.

Customers in these areas are serviced by three isolated systems that cover a huge area - over 20,000 square kilometres. The size of the District, coupled with the adverse extreme weather conditions often experienced in the south of the State, result in challenging work conditions. Horizon Power's program of upgrade works has seen reliability improve in rural areas by more than 70 per cent between 2008 and 2012.

As part of the Esperance Network Rural Upgrade Program (ENRUP) and associated single-phase program of works, works to date include:

  • The replacement of more than 2500 wooden poles with steel poles. Steel poles offer many benefits in terms of safety and reliability including a reduced risk of bushfires and the elimination of the risk of weakening by white ants.
  • The replacement of more than 500 unserviceable poles.
  • Upgrades to more than 4,500 insulators.
  • The installation of additional power poles on our long stretches of network to reduce 'long bays'. Additional poles reduce the number of power interruptions and the risk of bushfires caused by powerlines clashing in high winds. Approximately 1,500 long bays have now been reduced in length and a further 400 bays with ground clearance issues rectified.
  • The installation of additional infrastructure and reinforcement of existing infrastructure. In 2010 and 2011, Horizon Power successfully completed projects to install a new isolation transformer and eleven new reclosers on the rural network.

Horizon Power is now in the middle of  a $14 million two year program of works to reinforce 5,500 wood power poles and replace approximately 2,000 wood power poles to improve safety and security of power supplies. This program of works will be completed in 2013.

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Click on the questions below to see their corresponding answers.

Which areas of the Esperance District are included in the upgrade works?
The program of works will take place throughout the Esperance District - in Esperance, Norseman and Hopetoun.

Rural upgrades commenced on the three-phase network in 2006 and were completed in 2010. The focus then moved to the single-phase network. This work was completed in 2012. Horizon Power is now in the middle of a two year program of works to replace and reinforce wood poles in both town and rural areas. This program will be completed in 2013.

Why are upgrades needed in the Esperance District?
The Esperance District covers a huge area - over 20,000 square kilometres.

The sheer length poses many challenges in terms of reliability to our customers. Equipment failure and adverse weather conditions are magnified in comparison to those experienced on a smaller network.

The upgrades will tackle these challenges and improve safety and reliability of power supplies to our customers in these areas.
When did the program start and when will it finish?
Rural upgrades commenced on the three-phase network in 2006 and were completed in 2010. The focus then moved to the single-phase network. This work was completed in 2012. Horizon Power is now in the middle of a two year program of works to replace and reinforce wood poles. This program will be completed in 2013.
What has been done to-date?
Since 2006, Horizon Power has:
  • Replaced over 2,500 wooden poles with steel poles and upgraded over 4,500 insulators. Steel poles offer many benefits in terms of safety and reliability; reducing the risk of bushfires and eliminating the risk of power poles becoming weakened.
  • As part of the Esperance Network Rural Upgrade Program (ENRUP) and associated single-phase program of works, works to date include:
  • The replacement of more than 2500 wooden poles with steel poles. Steel poles offer many benefits in terms of safety and reliability including a reduced risk of bushfires and the elimination of the risk of weakening by white ants.
  • The replacement of more than 500 unserviceable poles.
  • Upgrades to more than 4,500 insulators.
  • The installation of additional power poles on our long stretches of network to reduce 'long bays'. Additional poles reduce the number of power interruptions and the risk of bushfires caused by powerlines clashing in high winds. Approximately 1,500 long bays have now been reduced in length and a further 400 bays with ground clearance issues rectified.
  • The installation of additional infrastructure and reinforcement of existing infrastructure. In 2010 and 2011, Horizon Power successfully completed projects to install a new isolation transformer and eleven new reclosers on the rural network.

Horizon Power us now in the middle of  a $14 million two year program of works to reinforce 5,500 wood power poles and replace approximately 2,000 wood power poles to improve safety and sercurity of power supplies. This program of works will be completed in 2013. 

Are the upgrades improving reliability?
Yes. Reliability has improved by more than 70 per cent since the upgrade program started.
 
How much has the project cost?
Approximately $30 million has been spent to-date improving power supplies in the Esperance District. An additional $14 million has been allocated for the wood pole replacement and reinforcement program. 
Who is Horizon Power working with on the project?
Horizon Power is partnering with Transfield Services to deliver the Esperance upgrades.
 
What works are coming up in the future?
Work will continue on our wood pole replacement and reinforcement program. 
 
Will there be planned power interruptions to allow the works to happen?
Yes, there will be times where we need to interrupt power supplies in order to carry out the infrastructure upgrades safely.

Horizon Power will keep you updated about our schedule of works and provide at least three days notification of any planned power interruption, either by a phone call, SMS, card drop or advertising in local media.

We understand that these shutdowns can be disruptive and we thank the community for their continued patience and support as we carry out these works.
 
What are the benefits of the works?
The work on the Esperance electricity networks will ensure the networks comply with all current safety, environment and reliability codes, regulations and standards.

For more information, contact:

Community and Customer Relations Manager
Rachel Clarke
Email: rachel.clarke@horizonpower.com.au
Telephone: (08) 9072 3408.

Last updated: Thursday, 24 January 2013 11:43 AM