❓ Hon. Kate Doust asks about alternative options to the Pinjar to Geraldton 330kV electricity transmission line. Hon. Peter Collier responds, citing improved local generation and route review as possibilities, emphasizing cost-effectiveness and reliability amid rising costs and regional development.
AnsweredQoN 441Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
pinjar to GERALDTON electricity transmission LINE
In the minister’s earlier response to my question about the 330 kilovolt line he alluded to alternative options to the 330-kilovolt line being available. Will the minister outline what they are? Hon PETER COLLIER
In the minister’s earlier response to my question about the 330 kilovolt line he alluded to alternative options to the 330-kilovolt line being available. Will the minister outline what they are? Hon PETER COLLIER
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question. One of the most obvious solutions would be to improve electricity generation in Geraldton. We must also look at the route of the line, which zigzags, as I am sure the member is aware, from Pinjar to Moonyoonooka. What we must do is to ascertain the most effective means to provide a safe and reliable electricity system to the mid-west region. All I am saying at this stage is that what we must do as a responsible government is to ascertain the most effective system. The cost of a 330-kilovolt line has more than doubled. We must ask whether that is providing value for money for people in the mid-west and for Western Australians as a whole. There is nothing clandestine about it. All we are doing at the moment is ascertaining whether that is the best option. When we do the review, other solutions may emerge. Perhaps looking at electricity generation in Geraldton is one other option. If it provides a safe and reliable electricity system for the mid-west region to cope with the development of the mining industry in that region, plus the pressures from Oakajee and residential demand, we will go with it. As I said, I think the most appropriate thing at this stage is to review the situation and come up with the most logical, cost-effective and efficient method.
Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I thank the member for the question. One of the most obvious solutions would be to improve electricity generation in Geraldton. We must also look at the route of the line, which zigzags, as I am sure the member is aware, from Pinjar to Moonyoonooka. What we must do is to ascertain the most effective means to provide a safe and reliable electricity system to the mid-west region. All I am saying at this stage is that what we must do as a responsible government is to ascertain the most effective system. The cost of a 330-kilovolt line has more than doubled. We must ask whether that is providing value for money for people in the mid-west and for Western Australians as a whole. There is nothing clandestine about it. All we are doing at the moment is ascertaining whether that is the best option. When we do the review, other solutions may emerge. Perhaps looking at electricity generation in Geraldton is one other option. If it provides a safe and reliable electricity system for the mid-west region to cope with the development of the mining industry in that region, plus the pressures from Oakajee and residential demand, we will go with it. As I said, I think the most appropriate thing at this stage is to review the situation and come up with the most logical, cost-effective and efficient method.
I thank the member for the question. One of the most obvious solutions would be to improve electricity generation in Geraldton. We must also look at the route of the line, which zigzags, as I am sure the member is aware, from Pinjar to Moonyoonooka. What we must do is to ascertain the most effective means to provide a safe and reliable electricity system to the mid-west region. All I am saying at this stage is that what we must do as a responsible government is to ascertain the most effective system. The cost of a 330-kilovolt line has more than doubled. We must ask whether that is providing value for money for people in the mid-west and for Western Australians as a whole. There is nothing clandestine about it. All we are doing at the moment is ascertaining whether that is the best option. When we do the review, other solutions may emerge. Perhaps looking at electricity generation in Geraldton is one other option. If it provides a safe and reliable electricity system for the mid-west region to cope with the development of the mining industry in that region, plus the pressures from Oakajee and residential demand, we will go with it. As I said, I think the most appropriate thing at this stage is to review the situation and come up with the most logical, cost-effective and efficient method.
Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I thank the member for the question. One of the most obvious solutions would be to improve electricity generation in Geraldton. We must also look at the route of the line, which zigzags, as I am sure the member is aware, from Pinjar to Moonyoonooka. What we must do is to ascertain the most effective means to provide a safe and reliable electricity system to the mid-west region. All I am saying at this stage is that what we must do as a responsible government is to ascertain the most effective system. The cost of a 330-kilovolt line has more than doubled. We must ask whether that is providing value for money for people in the mid-west and for Western Australians as a whole. There is nothing clandestine about it. All we are doing at the moment is ascertaining whether that is the best option. When we do the review, other solutions may emerge. Perhaps looking at electricity generation in Geraldton is one other option. If it provides a safe and reliable electricity system for the mid-west region to cope with the development of the mining industry in that region, plus the pressures from Oakajee and residential demand, we will go with it. As I said, I think the most appropriate thing at this stage is to review the situation and come up with the most logical, cost-effective and efficient method.
I thank the member for the question. One of the most obvious solutions would be to improve electricity generation in Geraldton. We must also look at the route of the line, which zigzags, as I am sure the member is aware, from Pinjar to Moonyoonooka. What we must do is to ascertain the most effective means to provide a safe and reliable electricity system to the mid-west region. All I am saying at this stage is that what we must do as a responsible government is to ascertain the most effective system. The cost of a 330-kilovolt line has more than doubled. We must ask whether that is providing value for money for people in the mid-west and for Western Australians as a whole. There is nothing clandestine about it. All we are doing at the moment is ascertaining whether that is the best option. When we do the review, other solutions may emerge. Perhaps looking at electricity generation in Geraldton is one other option. If it provides a safe and reliable electricity system for the mid-west region to cope with the development of the mining industry in that region, plus the pressures from Oakajee and residential demand, we will go with it. As I said, I think the most appropriate thing at this stage is to review the situation and come up with the most logical, cost-effective and efficient method.
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