East Perth Power Station - Development Timeline
1913
| The State Government announces it will build a power station "to generate all the electricity needed in the Perth Metropolitan area." East Perth is chosen because coal can easily be delivered by rail and the enormous quantities of cooling water required by the condensing plant can be drawn from the Swan River. |
1913
Construction commences.
1916
Construction completed at a total cost of £538,000.
1916 - 1917
Power generation commences when Unit #1 goes on line on 3 December 1916. Units #2 and #3 begin generating power in March and April 1917 for a total generating capacity of 12 megawatts.
1922
Unit #4, a 7.5-megawatt generator added. Demand for power begins to increase rapidly. More generation is required.
1925
Unit #5, of 12.5-megawatt capacity, begins generating power.
1929
Total power generation from East Perth Power Station is 32-megawatts. The estimated capital value of the power station is £1 million.
1932
The State Government announces it will privatise power generation and seeks purchasers for the East Perth Power Station from the private sector. The idea is abandoned later that year, due to lack of interest.
1935 - 1938
'B' Station constructed around a massive new 25-megawatt turbo generator. 'B' Station almost doubled the capacity of the East Perth Power Station.
1956
A new 30-megawatt generating unit (Unit #7) commissioned.
1968
East Perth Power Station converts to oil (from coal).
1974
East Perth Power Station returns to coal firing.
1981
After 68 years of continual service, East Perth Power Station closed on 23 December 1981. More advanced and cheaper methods of electricity generation made the facility redundant.
2003
The State Government approves funding to save the heritage-listed buildings that comprise the East Perth Power Station complex.
2004 - 2006
Stabilising works undertaken.
2015
The State Government invites Expressions of Interest to develop the East Perth Power Station.
2019
The State Government announces funding to unlock the East Perth Power Station site for redevelopment and relocate the Western Power Switchyard.
2020
Australian Capital Equity and Minderoo Group (Koomba Kalark) named preferred proponents to progress the revitalisation of the East Perth Power Station precinct.
2022
Site clean-up and infrastructure relocation works commence.
2023
Development Deed with the preferred proponents Koomba Kalark expires.
2023
Undergrounding of powerlines; enabling the activation of foreshore area (as well as increasing the safety and asset protection).
2024
Conclusion of site remediation and issue of new site reclassification by Department of Water Environment Regulation (under Contaminated Sites Act), enabling the proposed redevelopment of the site.
2025
East Perth Power Station hosts a five-week Perth Festival music event. This is first time the power station precinct has been used for an activation open to the general public.
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