Walpole locals say they have been ‘left in the dark for too long’ amid three-year wait for hydro-power

Walpole resident say they have been “left in the dark for too long” after a series of power outages, including one on Christmas Day, reignited questions around the town’s planned hydro-power grid. On Monday, January 12, more than 600 residents were affected by an unplanned power outage in Walpole and its surrounding areas, which Western Power attributed to a fallen line. Then on Friday, January 16, Western Power confirmed another unplanned fault outage occurred, requiring emergency repairs to restore power to the region. Frustration within the Walpole community has been further sparked by the three-year wait for the completion and operation of a promised hydro-power grid, which the developer has pinned on the Federal Government failing to hand over $2 million in funding, prompting a loss of jobs, and leaving the project stalled. The system, revealed by Western Power in April 2022, and planned to be fully operational by the end of 2023, was designed to be WA’s first pumped hydro microgrid. Western Power, in partnership with WA engineering firm Power Research and Development, was to develop the mini-pumped hydro facility in Walpole and connect it to the South West Interconnected System network. The system was set to improve power reliability in the area by as much as 80 per cent, with its key selling point that it could provide power to just over 500 residents and businesses even if there was a disruption on the main networks. Yet the project has still not come to fruition, leaving many people wondering how much longer they will have to endure unreliable power. Shire of Manjimup president Donelle Buegge says the Walpole community is rightfully upset. “Our community is fed up with repeated power outages, and they have every right to be,” she said. “Reliable electricity is essential for daily life, businesses, and critical services.” Ms Buegge said there was no excuse for Walpole’s current power scheme. “The technology exists, and the benefits are clear,” she said. “We should have already flipped the switch to more reliable options like hydro power. The hold-up isn’t a lack of solutions — it’s delays in approvals, funding, and decision-making beyond the Shire’s control.” A Western Power spokesperson said the system was ready to generate power. “Western Power completed its scope of work to date and issued an Interim Approval to Operate in July 2025 which allows the facility to commence power generation and participate in the wholesale electricity market,” they said. “The next stage is PRD’s completion of commissioning activities and relevant documentation. “Once complete, this will enable generation into the network and the ability to support the local community in the event of an unplanned outage.” The spokesperson acknowledged the recent frustration of Walpole residents, reiterating Western Power’s commitment to improve power reliability in the region. “We understand recent outages in Walpole and surrounds are inconvenient and frustrating,” they said. “The cause of the recent outages was vegetation impact on network infrastructure, resulting in equipment damage. “Power lines in the Walpole area traverse heavy vegetation and fire-prone areas which can delay power restoration.” Western Power also conferred its financial investment in the future of power systems within the Walpole region. “(We are) investing a further $1.7m to deliver approximately 67 wood pole replacements or reinforcements, around 1.3km of conductor replacement, 30 additional asset replacements, and 21 asset maintenance activities to enhance network resilience and reliability,” they said. “This follows the more than $6m in financial year 2024-25 to upgrade electricity feeders supplying Walpole and surrounding areas including 73 wood pole replacements or reinforcements, nearly 14km of conductor replacement, 17 replacements of other network assets such as cross-arms and insulators, and 33 asset maintenance jobs.” PRD power project developer Colin Stonehouse said the project’s completion was reliant upon receiving $2m in funding under the Federal Government’s R&D Tax Incentive program, originally due in October 2023. “It is the more than two-year delay in Federal Government’s funds that has stopped the work needed to get the project to full operation and able to provide emergency power to the people in Walpole,” he said. “This delay has also caused considerable additional costs and the loss of many jobs. “I completely understand the frustration and suffering for the people in Walpole, and I am also extremely frustrated and distressed.” When questioned about the delay an ATO spokesperson said “the ATO is unable to comment due to our obligations under taxpayer confidentiality laws.”