1948

• SEC takes over the operation of the City of Perth Electricity and Gas Department.

• Picton Depot is established as the headquarters of the South West Power Scheme.

• On 25 September, work commences on extending the Collie Power Station to include three new 2.5MW generating units.

• Power supplies in Margaret River and Mt Barker are taken over by the SEC.

1949

• Bunbury, York, Albany and Pinjarra Power Stations are taken over by the SEC.

1950

• The SEC takes ownership of the Brunswick Junction, Bridgetown, Pemberton, Yarloop, Manjimup and Donnybrook Power Stations.

1951

• Harvey, Waroona, Mandurah and Claremont Power Stations are taken over by the State Electricity Commission (SEC).

• The SEC purchases the Albany Gas Plant from the Colonial Gas Association of Victoria.
  
  
• On 13 May, the first 25MW generating unit at South Fremantle Power Station comes on load.
  
  
• On 27 June, the Minister for Works and Electricity, Mr (later Sir) David Brand officially opens the South Fremantle Power Station.

• On 5 August, the Collie Power Station is connected into the South West Power Scheme.

• On 24 August, the new extensions to the Collie Power Stations are officially opened.
  
  
• On 29 September, work is completed at the East Perth Power station on the installation of the 66kV transmission line and the 25MW frequency changer, to convert 40 cycle electricity to 50 cycle electricity.

• On 20 December, the first farming property is connected to the South West Power Scheme.

• Preliminary planning for the Bunbury Power Station commences.

1952

• On 1 June, the State Electricity Commission (SEC) acquires the Fremantle Municipal Tramways and Electric Lighting Board.
  
  
• On 8 November, the last tram runs in Fremantle.

• The Capel and Cowaramup Power Stations are taken over by the SEC.
  
  
• Northam joins the interconnected grid system.
  
  
• By October, 20,000 customers living in the Perth metropolitan area have been converted to 50 cycle electricity.

1953

• The Fremantle Gas and Coke Company constructs a new plant at Spearwood.
  
  
• Greenbushes, Balingup, Boyup Brook and Wundowie are taken over by the SEC.

• York is connected to the grid.
  
  
• By December, 50,000 customers living in the Perth metropolitan area have been converted to 50 cycle electricity.

1954

• In January, the No 3 turbo alternator at South Fremantle Power Station comes online.
  Google Earth - South Fremantle Power Station

• On 20 December, the No. 4 turbo alternator at South Fremantle Power Station is commissioned. The station now has a generating capacity of 100MW.

• Construction of the Bunbury Power Station commences.

1955

• On 17 February, conversion of East Perth Power Station to oil firing is completed.
  Google Earth - East Perth Power Station

1956

• The Collie Power Station is interconnected with East Perth and South Fremantle.

• Kellerberring, Tammin, Cunderdin and Denmark Power Stations are taken over by the SEC.
  
  
• On 19 June, the 30MW, No. 7 turbo alternator at East Perth Power Station is commissioned.

• On 4 July, the Metropolitan and South West power systems are interconnected through the Bunbury to Cannington 132kV transmission line, initially at 66kV.

1957

• On 5 May, the Bunbury Power Station at Koombana Bay commences operations with one 30MW turbine and two 15MW boilers.

• On 23 August, the Bunbury Power Station is officially opened.
  
  
• Bunbury, Collie, South Fremantle and East Perth Power Stations are linked to form the South West Interconnected Grid.

Next Section >> 1958 - 1966.

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