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Horizon Power Pilbara Network

About the Pilbara Electricity Reforms

Horizon Power owns transmission and distribution assets across Western Australia.

From 1 July 2021, applicants can apply for access to Horizon Power's covered network in the North West Interconnected System.

From 7 January 2022, applicants can commence an access dispute in respect of access to Horizon Power’s covered network.

Background

On 2 February 2018, the then Minister for Energy announced that all of the interconnected electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure facilities owned by Regional Power Corporation (Horizon Power) in the North West Interconnected System (NWIS) be covered under the Electricity Networks Access Code 2004 (Access Code) commencing 1 January 2020.

This decision is available here and defines Horizon Power’s covered network as follows:

  • All of Horizon Power's network infrastructure in the West Pilbara area, which supplies customers located in and around Karratha, including the connections to the Port of Dampier, Cape Lambert, Point Samson and Roebourne
  • All of Horizon Power’s network infrastructure in the East Pilbara area, which supplies customers in and around greater Port Hedland, including the connections to the port operations of BHP Billiton and Fortescue Metals Group 
  • The transmission line that connects Horizon Power's network infrastructure in the West Pilbara and East Pilbara areas
  • The transmission line that runs from Port Hedland to the site of the former mining town of Goldsworthy

The Minister for Energy has since amended the Access Code to extend the coverage commencement date to 1 July 2021.

The Western Australian State Government has subsequently implemented a new light-handed regulatory regime under the Pilbara Networks Access Code 2021, which covers the access and use of certain covered electricity networks in the Pilbara region of Western Australia (Pilbara Electricity Reforms) including Horizon Power’s network in the NWIS.

The Pilbara Electricity Reforms also established an Independent System Operator to maintain power system security in the NWIS.

For more information, please visit Pilbara Electricity Reforms, 1 July 2021 update and Evolution of Pilbara Networks.

Key legislation

Please see below links to relevant legislation related to the Pilbara Electricity Reforms.

Contestable Customers and Retailers in the NWIS

From the coverage commencement date of 1 July 2021, customers who consume 1,200MWh or more of electricity per year at each exit point (being the point where your property or business is connected to Horizon Power’s covered network) may choose their own retailer. These customers are referred to as “contestable customers”.

Please refer to the Electricity Corporations (Pilbara Prescribed Customers) Order 2021 for definition of prescribed customers (which are non-contestable customers).

Network system

This map demonstrates the network facilities in the Pilbara region. It is indicative only and should not be relied upon for non-Horizon Power network information. It is not suitable for current or external network information. For more details, visit NWIS System Map at Pilbara Independent System Operator.’

View map

Looking for something else?

If you are a Horizon Power customer with questions about your electricity supply or account, please visit our website.

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