Residents near Kwinana faced rude awakening as powerful ‘explosion’ rocked homes

Residents right across Perth’s south felt the effects of a powerful “explosion” on Sunday morning that rocked windows and homes.

The blast and after-effects resonated was the planned demolition of the last boiler structures at the former Kwinana Power Station at around 9am, marking another major milestone in the site’s long-running decommissioning.

People across the southern metropolitan area felt a deep boom and noticeable shockwave - windows rattled, houses shook as the vibration was felt well beyond Kwinana, with reports from suburbs including Leeming, Harrisdale, Treeby, Melville, Oakford, Byford and Roleystone.

At the old power station site, the building was reduced to rubble within seconds by the powerful explosives, as dust-controlling jets of water over the smoke and debris made for a spectacular sight.

It is the second boiler at the decommissioned coal-fired power station to be detonated by small explosive charges - and the second to be felt for miles.

The site is being transformed into a major renewable energy hub, featuring large-scale battery energy storage systems.

In 2025, a similar explosion to take down the first boiler was felt as far away as Roleystone, Harrisdale and Byford.

The remnants of the second boiler will now be cleared and the site remediated.

Synergy has been progressively dismantling the facility since last year, including the removal of its renowned and recognisable chimney stacks and multiple boiler units.

“In addition to the removal of the heavy-steel boilers, the two chimney stacks are being dismantled. One was completed last year and the second is about 40 per cent complete,” Synergy chief executive Kurt Baker said.

Mr Baker said more than 90 per cent of materials from the site were being recycledm including steel, copper and aluminium.

The former power station, which operated from the 1970s until its official closure in 2015, was once one of WA’s largest thermal power stations.

The decommissioning is expected to continue until 2027, after which the site will be available for future energy-related uses.

While the sound and vibration of the blast alarmed some residents, the demolition was planned and conducted under controlled safety and environmental protocols, with exclusion zones established around the site.