Western Power says it will cut 215 jobs from its operations through a voluntary redundancy program that will involve a month-long consultation process, according to ABC News.
The utility says the redundancies are necessary due to a reduction in workload, the economic slowdown and the rise of solar power, the report said.
The job cuts are believed to include a 10 per cent reduction in network planning staff and a further 10 per cent cut to project management staff.
Electrical Trades Union state secretary Les McLaughlan said he believed there were more job cuts to come, and other sources told ABC News job losses of up to 30 per cent of the utility’s workforce were expected.
The move comes as the State Government considers privatising the utility to pay down state debt, the report said.
“Western Power is focused on continuous improvement as customer needs and economic conditions change,” a statement from the company said.
“The goal is to make Western Power a leading electricity provider nationally.”
ABC News said the company hoped to finalise the redundancy process by mid-May and would consider holding a ballot if too many people applied.