Western Power’s $18.2 million energy hub, which will serve communities in the Great Southern region, was officially launched by Energy Minister Bill Johnston.
Western Power’s cutting-edge facility, built by local Albany company Wauters Construction Company, provided approximately 70 jobs during construction and will boost operational efficiency.
The new energy hub, part of Western Power’s Depot Modernisation Program, is intended to fulfil the region’s expanding energy needs.
Minister Johnston stated that Western Power’s new Albany facility would serve as a primary energy hub in the Great Southern region and provide world-class amenities for its staff.
“It will safeguard the energy future for Western Australians living and working in the Great Southern while providing a purpose-built safe working environment for employees and continued employment for people in the region,” Minister Johnston said.
Minister Johnston added that the facility demonstrates the McGowan Government‘s commitment to upgrading the South-West Interconnected System to ensure all Western Australians have a safe, dependable, cheap, and increasingly green energy future.
Western Power dubbed the new depot Kinjarling Pindjarri, which means Albany power and lightning, in collaboration with local Minang Traditional Owners. Errol Eades, a local artist, created the exterior artwork for the building. Madjitil Boodja (Magical Country) reflects the colours of Djilba’s Noongar season (spring), as well as the vibrant colours of country and spirit seen in Minang Boodja (lower Great Southern).
According to the State Government, the new depot is a substantial investment in the Great Southern region, with development benefiting local businesses and existing and future job growth.
“I am thrilled to be part of the McGowan Government that is making a significant investment in Albany and the Great Southern Region with a new state-of-the-art Western Power depot,” Albany MLA Rebecca Stephens said.
Stephens added that besides being of enormous service to the community and local Western Power workers, it had delivered a considerable economic injection into the city, with Wauters Construction Company employing 70 workers to complete the contract.
The Albany Depot employs approximately 60 full-time staff, with the new facility capable of accommodating future development as needed.
The facility’s design prioritises safety, single-flow traffic, separating light and heavy vehicles, and new technologies such as electric vehicle chargers in the guest parking lot.
The new depot will take the place of the previous 45-year-old facility. Work began in May 2021 with some delays owing to COVID-19 implications, accompanying building cost pressures and supplier chain issues.
