A few hot days above 36C around Christmas Day were the only time Western Power’s distribution network was tested. But for most of the holiday period milder weather prevailed, avoiding the large power demands that annually causes the state to bemoan the disrepair evident in Western Power.

But Western Power had to face problems of a different kind. Energy Safety Director Albert Koenig ruled two recent WA wildfires, one in the outer metropolitan area, were caused by Western Power and its contentious power poles.

In addition, the inquest into the deaths of two women in a fire near Tenterden also found this fire was caused by faulty wooden Western Power poles.

Koenig said a fire which occurred on 2 December 2004 was ignited by burning or smouldering debris from an EDO (expulsion drop out) type high voltage fuse barrel located on a Western Power pole which is part of a power spur line.

“The considerable time lag between the time of the fuse blowing and the reported start of the fire means that it cannot be concluded with absolute certainty that the malfunction of this fuse and consequential damage to the fuse barrel caused the fire,” Koenig said.

“However, this seems highly likely, especially as the investigators have no alternative scenarios.”

He did point out the investigation had not identified any particular failure by Western Power or its personnel that had led to the fuse malfunction and wildfire.

The pole is part of a spur line off Western Power’s Nyabing 22kV power line feeder, about 38 km from the Katanning Zone Substation.

The second fire occurred in mid-December in Wungong, about 5km south of the southern Perth township of Armadale.

Hot metal debris from a blown fuse link caused by trees clashing with power lines, fell to the ground, and the dry grass covering the ground ignited, starting the wildfire.

Koenig said that fire would not have taken place had trees near the power line been properly controlled, and the correct type of fuse links installed.

“Western Power's failure to ensure that trees were kept clear of its 3 phase low voltage (415/240v) overhead power line in the area allowed power line conductors to clash when strong gusty winds were experienced that day,” said the Energy Safety report.

“The fuse link was a piece of bare copper wire that had been installed by Western Power. It was inappropriate and unsuitable for the purpose. Normal electricity industry practice is to use HRC (high rupturing capacity) cartridge type fuses which result in no emissions of hot debris on operation, and this type of fuse link should have been installed.”

“I will now require Western Power to promptly carry out a survey to identify other power line locations where such fuse links may exist, and change them as a matter of urgency.” Koenig said.

“We will also examine whether a prosecution should follow.”