Perth's southern suburbs witnessed the controlled demolition of a historic industrial landmark on Sunday, as the former Kwinana Power Station was brought down with carefully placed explosive charges.
The End of an Era
The demolition operation took place on Sunday, 16 November 2025, with authorities establishing a substantial 750-metre exclusion zone around the site for several hours. The controlled explosion, contained within multiple shipping containers for safety, generated shockwaves that reverberated across the Perth metropolitan area.
Residents from Roleystone to Harrisdale and as far as Byford reported feeling the vibrations from the demolition. Oakford local Aaron Pike described the moment to 7NEWS: "It shook everything; the window's shook, I've got a drinks cabinet that shook, the TV shook. It stopped everything, because we were mid conversation, and everything stopped, we were like, 'What was that?'"
Transforming Energy Infrastructure
Synergy chief executive Kurt Baker confirmed the successful removal of one chimney stack, with work already progressing on the second structure. The power station had been operational since the 1970s until its closure in 2015, serving as a prominent feature in the Kwinana industrial landscape for decades.
"The old Kwinana coal-fired power station has been a landmark in this area since the 1970s and it is exciting to see the careful work underway to transform this site," Mr Baker stated.
The demolition represents a significant milestone in Western Australia's energy transition. Mr Baker highlighted that the site already hosts modern energy infrastructure, including: three gas-fired generation units and two of Synergy's battery energy storage systems that are currently operational.
Future of the Site
The careful deconstruction and decommissioning process is expected to continue through to the end of 2027. This phased approach ensures the site can be repurposed for future energy and industrial needs.
"In addition to the deconstruction of the old coal-fired power station underway, there are three gas fired generation units and two of Synergy's battery energy storage systems already operating on site which are enabling more renewable energy to be stored and used during peak periods," Mr Baker explained.
"The careful deconstruction and decommissioning of the old Kwinana coal power station will enable future reuse of the site."
The demolition was conducted under strict safety and environmental protocols, using small explosive charges to ensure minimal impact on the surrounding community and environment.
