swis network - delivering power to wa
The Coolimba Power Project will enhance the performance and efficiency of the SWIS particularly for customers in the Mid West region.
The SWIS consists of 88,000 kilometres of network supplying electricity from Kalbarri to Albany in Western Australia. It is owned and managed by Western Power, a public company wholly owned by the WA State Government.
Western Power Corporate Intent: Western Power's primary role is to provide network access and infrastructure services to enable the transfer of electrical energy from points of generation to points of electricity demand. Western Power will play a vital role in facilitating an economically efficient and competitive electricity market. It is of utmost importance that we treat all parties seeking access to our network equitably and that we offer timely, cost effective and innovative solutions to our customers for accessing the electricity network. Source: www.westernpower.com.au
In April 2006, the state-owned power utility was split into four entities; Verve Energy (generation), Synergy (retail) and Western Power (networks) all business units operating within the SWIS, and Horizon Power, a separate entity responsible for power outside of the SWIS.
At the time of the split, Verve's generation capacity was 3480MW, but as part of the Government's recent reform of the electricity industry, it is required to reduce its generating capacity to 3000MW by 2008 to encourage new participants in the market. Total generation capacity in the SWIS stands at around 4000MW.
Synergy has the exclusive right to service small (non-contestable) customers in the SWIS and competes with other retailers and generators for large industrial customers. Synergy is the major supplier of power distributed through the SWIS.
All of the baseload generation in the SWIS is located south of Perth and despite the addition of a second 132kV transmission line from Perth to Eneabba, transmission losses to the Mid West are the highest in the network at approximately 14%. The reliability and availability of power supplied to the Mid West remains severely constrained by the network.
The commissioning of the Coolimba Power Project and the proposed construction of 330kV lines between Perth and Geraldton will greatly enhance power supply for all customers in the Mid West and the SWIS.