Wood poles
We manage our network in a way that ensures a safe and reliable supply of electricity while reducing the environmental impact and cost of service to our customers.
For this reason, wood poles are a significant part of the Western Power Network. Of more than 800,000 poles and towers in the network, approximately 660,000 are made of wood.
Click on the fact sheets opposite to learn more about our wood pole network.
Maintaining the network
Our approach prioritises replacement or reinforcement of wood poles by fire risk so that poles in extreme fire risk zones requiring attention are addressed promptly.
We inspect our poles regularly for signs of termites, fungal rot or other damage. We then reinforce or replace poles as necessary depending on the pole’s condition, age and other factors.
Reinforcement with steel spikes at the base of the pole has the advantage of increasing the strength of the pole at ground level without any interruption to customers’ power supplies.
Inspections, reinforcements and replacements completed – March 2013
Figures shown include both distribution and transmission works to 31 March 2013.
To view PDF files you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader.
About our wood poles(PDF 1.39 Mb)
Comparison of reinforcement and replacement (PDF 1.2 Mb)
