❓ Mr Hunter questions power reliability in Quairading, highlighting outages and a proposed BESS. The response details past upgrades, outage statistics, and the lack of current plans for a BESS or temporary generators, citing the Regional Connect program.
AnsweredQoN 855Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the ongoing power reliability issued in Quairading and I ask: (a) How many planned and unplanned power outages have there been in Quairading over the last 5 years; (b) What immediate steps is the Government taking to improve electricity reliability in Quairading given the ongoing outages impacting residents and businesses; (c) Are there any planned upgrades or infrastructure works scheduled specifically to improve electricity supply reliability in the Quairading area: (i) If so, what is the timeline for delivery; (d) At the July 2023 Shire of Quairading Council Meeting, representatives from Synergy and Western Power presented the council with the option for a 2MW Flow Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) which the council adopted. Can you please clarify the current status of the proposed BESS; (e) What role is the State Government playing in supporting or funding the BESS project in Quairading and how is it being prioritised within the regional energy infrastructure planning; (f) Are the fortnightly meetings between Synergy, Western Power and the Shire of Quairading still occurring and if so, what outcomes have resulted from these discussions so far; (g) What consideration has been given to providing temporary energy stability solutions (such as mobile generators) while longer term infrastructure is being implemented; and (h) How is the Government ensuring regional towns like Quairading are not left behind when it comes to reliable, modern energy infrastructure?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
18 November 2025
Responded by
Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation
Response time
9 days
(a) As at 3 November 2025, there have been 21 planned and 44 unplanned outages in Quairading over the last five years.
(b)-(e)
There are no active plans to install a Battery Energy Storage System following the completion of a $1.1 million package of works in 2023-24 to improve power reliability in Quairading.
The works included an upgrade to the main line into the Quairading townsite, the replacement of more than 50 poles, re-tensioning of six bays of conductor, and multiple high voltage insulator, cross-arm and stay replacements.
Note that less than one third of outages in Quairading for 2025 to date have been unplanned. All other outages are attributable to planned works. While planned outages cause short-term inconvenience, they will support improvements in power reliability over the longer-term.
(f) No.
(g) Quairading has not been identified as a prospective location for temporary generators.
(h) Western Power’s regional network is uniquely comprised of long feeder lines. During an unplanned outage, crews often need to patrol lines which span hundreds of kilometres. The Regional Connect program is an $88 million initiative to reduce the duration of unplanned outages for regional areas supplied by long feeder lines, with tailored solutions based on local conditions and network data.
(b)-(e)
There are no active plans to install a Battery Energy Storage System following the completion of a $1.1 million package of works in 2023-24 to improve power reliability in Quairading.
The works included an upgrade to the main line into the Quairading townsite, the replacement of more than 50 poles, re-tensioning of six bays of conductor, and multiple high voltage insulator, cross-arm and stay replacements.
Note that less than one third of outages in Quairading for 2025 to date have been unplanned. All other outages are attributable to planned works. While planned outages cause short-term inconvenience, they will support improvements in power reliability over the longer-term.
(f) No.
(g) Quairading has not been identified as a prospective location for temporary generators.
(h) Western Power’s regional network is uniquely comprised of long feeder lines. During an unplanned outage, crews often need to patrol lines which span hundreds of kilometres. The Regional Connect program is an $88 million initiative to reduce the duration of unplanned outages for regional areas supplied by long feeder lines, with tailored solutions based on local conditions and network data.
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