Underground power
Targeted Underground Power Program (TUPP) - Western Power selects areas based on a network driven approach in accordance with the network renewal undergrounding program. We make offers to Local Government to complete undergrounding in parts of their local area in priority order.
The cost of undergrounding is shared between the State Government, Western Power, Local Governments and property owners, with the State Government's funding tiered based on socio-economic indicators.
The first TUPP project is scheduled for delivery in 2025.
Network Renewal Undergrounding Program Pilot (NRUPP) – this was a pilot program that has been replaced with the TUPP.
State Underground Power Program (SUPP) – the cost of undergrounding is shared between the State Government, Western Power, Local Government and property owners.
This program is expected to be completed in 2024.
Retrospective Undergrounding Projects (RUP) - this allows Local Governments to apply for underground power in areas not selected for our TUPP network driven undergrounding program.
RUP projects are primarily funded directly by the Local Governments and property owners, with a contribution from Western Power.
Local Governments can apply for our Retrospective Underground Program online.
There’s a lot we need to do to get power underground. This includes:
- Installing new underground power cables in the road reserve under verges
- Installing connection pillars (green dome/box), usually at the front corner of a property and the adjacent property
- Installing transformers and switchgear units to manage the distribution of power throughout the area. These are located in parks and public open spaces, or sometimes along property side verges
- Installing an underground connection from the connection pillar to the meter box at each property
- Changing each property over to the new underground system once it’s complete and is live, and removing the old overhead conductors
- Designing and installing a new LED streetlight system that meets the latest Australian Standards
- Removing existing wood poles and overhead powerlines (excluding transmission poles and wires)
We don’t include this because the costs are too expensive to replace with an underground network.
Distribution network poles and wires will be removed within the project area only. Transmission poles and wires won’t be.
Some properties have carryover (service) poles located inside their front boundary.
During the construction phase of an underground power project our standard practice is to remove and dispose of the pole.
This pole belongs to the property owner, so if you would like to keep it on your property, please contact the project contractor prior to construction commencing.
Current projects
Find out what underground power projects are happening in your area, including information on an underground power project in your area, such as program type, project status, boundary maps and other details.
Find out about planned projects
To enquire about planning to underground power your area, please contact your local government.
Targeted Underground Power Program (TUPP) areas are selected through a network driven approach in accordance with our network renewal undergrounding program.
If your area is identified for a potential TUPP project, Western Power will work collaboratively with your local government to explore the opportunity and inform you if the project is to proceed.
Local Government wanting to convert an area from overhead powerlines to underground supply can apply for our Retrospective Underground Program online. These projects are initiated and funded directly by Local Governments.
No underground projects in your area
If there are no planned underground projects in your area, you can still install an underground supply on your own property. This would underground the cable from your meter box, through your property and connects to the Western Power overhead network in the street. Your electrical contractor would need to work with Western Power for this to occur.
For more information, you can speak to one of our sales team on 13 10 87, or visit our website where we have information for a Single residential connection.
With every underground power project, a new LED street lighting system is designed and installed to the latest Australian Standards. Each project is different and the positioning of new streetlights is also reviewed during the design stage.
You’ll find that around 10% more lights are installed because they are positioned more closely and generally alternate from one side of the road to the other. Modern light poles are designed to collapse if hit by vehicles to reduce injuries and damage.
- Project details including design, timing, costs and funding – your Local government
- Project works impacting residents – Contractor
When construction is ready to commence, you’ll receive a note in your letterbox with the contact details of the contractor carrying out the work. - Underground Power general information – Western Power
Targeted Underground Power Program (TUPP)
Yes. The underground power's service charges applicable to rate payers has two components:
- Network services charge (or network infrastructure costs); and
- Consumer mains charge.
Customer funding contributions for underground power connections are determined by each local government. Generally, property owners with an existing underground consumer main (green dome) will only be charged for the network services component.
Please contact your local government for information on rate payer contributions towards an underground power program in your area.
Network Renewal Undergrounding Program
Network Renewal Undergrounding Program Pilot Tranche 1
No. Western Power covers the entire infrastructure costs up to the pillar, so if you have underground power connected to a pillar you won’t have to pay anything.
Network Renewal Undergrounding Program Pilot Tranche 2
Yes. See TUPP.
Please contact your local government for information on rate payer contributions towards an underground power program in your area.
State Underground Power Program (SUPP) and Retrospective Undergrounding Projects (RUPP)
Yes. Under these projects you are required to contribute to the network infrastructure costs and your consumer mains connection. If you have an underground consumer main already connected you may receive a discount from your local government.
Please contact your local government for information on rate payer contributions towards an underground power program in your area.
If you have an underground power project in your area it means your Local Government has elected to be part of a program.
Local Government has the power under the West Australian Local Government Act 1995 to pass on infrastructure related charges onto property owners.
When we move power underground, usually every second property has a green dome/box installed. The exact location is determined during the design process, but it’s usually located at the front corner of a property, just inside the front boundary.
There are three different types of pillars, the smaller sized dome mini-pillar, the box shaped mini-pillar and the larger sized dome uni-pillar. You’ll find only around 10% of properties will have uni-pillars.
Yes, it includes a new underground service cable from the green pillar near the front boundary of the property to the meter. To find out more about the costs involved, please contact your Local Government.
Once the pillar and the consumer mains is installed, your property will be changed over to the new underground power network. You’ll receive a note about this as it happens.
These are the conductors between the pillar and premises main switchboard (on your property) which form part of an electrical installation.
The contractor carrying out the project will repair any damage caused by the works. Please report any damage not remedied to the contractor as soon as possible. At the start of the project you’ll receive information in your mailbox with the contractor’s contact details.
All street verges are video-recorded before any work commences as a record. If your verge is damaged, it will be reinstated as close as practical to its original condition.
Any property which has a smart meter or a meter with Advanced Meter Infrastructure (AMI) capability will retain the existing meter. Any meter which does not have AMI capability will be replaced as part of the project. Meters which are found to be malfunctioning may be replaced or repaired.
No, only the overhead wires will be removed after your property is connected to the underground supply. Because the brackets are old, we recommend you have them removed by a professional to ensure no damage is caused to your property.
The cost for each project is determined based on a number of factors such as population density, network load requirements, topography and ground conditions.
Each underground power program has a different funding model.
Targeted Underground Power Program (TUPP)
The cost of undergrounding is shared between the State Government, Western Power, local government and property owners, with the State Government's funding tiered based on socio-economic indicators.
These projects target areas with a high proportion of aging distribution overhead assets that are coming to the end of their service life. Western Power contributes its net benefit (replacement and maintenance costs avoided) with the remainder met by Local Governments (including residents) and in some cases, State Government.
State Underground Power Program (SUPP)
The cost of undergrounding is shared between the State Government, Western Power, local government, and property owners.
Retrospective Undergrounding Projects (RUP)
These are generally funded directly by Local Government.
The cost of these projects can often be higher as the infrastructure has not been identified as nearing the end of its useful life and needing replacement, so the contribution from Western Power would be less.
Please contact your Local Government for information on rate payer contributions towards an underground power program in your area.
- Improved public safety – with improved street lighting neighbourhoods are safer, and by removing poles there are less car collisions.
- Improved reliability and security – once the power is underground, you’ll experience fewer disruptions after major storm events, which means fewer power outages.
- Improved street appearance – who doesn’t want to live on a nice looking street? No power lines create a more aesthetically pleasing neighbourhood.
- Increased property value – the absence of poles and wires and the inclusion of new street lighting has a positive impact on property values.
- Reduction in street tree pruning – no need to worry about trees getting in the way of poles anymore! Property owners and Local Government Authorities (LGAs) also save on maintenance costs, while also allowing the tree canopy to flourish.
- Lower life-cycle costs – underground power has minimal maintenance and operating costs.
- Improved opportunity for emerging technologies – helps pave the way for innovation and caters better to future power demand.
Undergrounding increases network capacity for renewables through:
- the use of larger rated cables;
- an increase in the number of circuits - overhead power has two circuits while undergrounding has around five, enabling load to be managed more efficiently;
- new network design that increases the capability to accommodate higher future energy demands of customers in the local transformer;
- improved hosting capacity for residential rooftop solar connections;
- new designs that can more flexibly adjust to re-route low voltage power supplies if needed; and
- the use of more efficient conductors that reduces voltage variation.
If you would like to upgrade your power supply you will need to contact Western Power on 13 10 87 or submit an application online to increase your power supply.
Any application for an upgrade would be considered separately to the underground power project in your area.
Your home’s electricity supply should be safely maintained at all times. Please consult a qualified electrical contractor if you have any concerns to ensure you and your property are safe.
Our contractor will let you know if they find unsafe electrical wiring as they work to connect your property to the new underground network and will provide you with a Customer Pack outlining any electrical issues at the property. You will need to engage a licensed electrical contractor to rectify the issue and make your property safe before our contractor returns to connect your property to the new underground network.
In some cases our contractor may be obliged to temporarily disconnect you from the network to ensure the safety of the community and your property.
SUPP is managed by Energy Policy WA and includes a Steering Committee made up of representatives from Energy Policy WA (EPWA), the WA Local Government Association (WALGA), Western Power and Local Government Authorities (LGAs). We manage the development and delivery of each project.
Retrospective Undergrounding Projects (RUP)
RUP’s are generally funded directly by Local Government Authority (LGA) or land developers. These are often unsuccessful SUPP candidate projects that have missed out as part of the selection process. The LGA will engage directly with Western Power under the Customer Connections process.
Network Renewal Undergrounding Pilot Program (NRUPP)
Western Power has a continuous need to renew and upgrade the distribution overhead network when assets are coming to the end of their service life. Traditionally, the work involves like-for-like replacement of the overhead assets.
Through our NRUPP, replacement of the overhead network with a new underground system is more cost effective for Western Power, on the basis that the LGA provides funding to replace the customers overhead service connections with underground which would not be replaced as part of a like-for-like replacement.
This is an opportunity for LGAs to capitalise on the significant financial investment already being injected by Western Power, through our planned works program, to deliver the benefits of underground power to their ratepayers outside of the State Underground Power Program.
Each project is different and the positioning of new streetlights is reviewed during the design stage. They are placed appropriately to ensure they meet the latest Australian Standards.