Last year, the energy giant moved into broadband by conducting infrastructure trials in some of Perth's southern suburbs, where households were hooked up to a broadband network that was capable of high-speed internet telephony, pay-TV and video services.

With customer satisfaction surveys showing 85% support, Western Power said it would consider expanding the trial to include more residents south of the river.

To help it manage a cultural change in the way it handles IT, Western Power also said it has recruited technology specialist Bill Gerrard to head up its other IT arm, Technology Group.