❓ Hon Robin Scott questions the Minister about the Asian Renewable Energy Hub, focusing on the business case and potential taxpayer funding. The Minister expresses strong support for the project and its potential benefits for Western Australia.
AnsweredQoN 779Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
ASIAN RENEWABLE ENERGY HUB
779. Hon ROBIN SCOTT to the minister representing the Minister for
State Development, Jobs and Trade:
(1) Is the
minister aware that the project director of the Asian renewable energy hub has
been quoted in the 12 September 2018 edition of the Pilbara News to this
effect —
''I think this will be the
first of its kind on the planet, so what we are developing is the world's
largest wind–solar hybrid project and by the time we're
finished it will be one of the largest power stations on the planet,'' �
(2) Will the minister table the
business case for this plan to sell electricity to Indonesia and Vietnam?
(3) Will the
minister assure the house that no taxpayers' money will be committed to
this delusional plan to export electricity to Indonesia and Vietnam by undersea
cable?
779. Hon ROBIN SCOTT to the minister representing the Minister for
State Development, Jobs and Trade:
(1) Is the
minister aware that the project director of the Asian renewable energy hub has
been quoted in the 12 September 2018 edition of the Pilbara News to this
effect —
''I think this will be the
first of its kind on the planet, so what we are developing is the world's
largest wind–solar hybrid project and by the time we're
finished it will be one of the largest power stations on the planet,'' �
(2) Will the minister table the
business case for this plan to sell electricity to Indonesia and Vietnam?
(3) Will the
minister assure the house that no taxpayers' money will be committed to
this delusional plan to export electricity to Indonesia and Vietnam by undersea
cable?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
member for the question.
(1)–(3) Yes,
I am aware of the project. I must say that I am very surprised that the member
does not share the enthusiasm for us unleashing the Pilbara's potential
for mass solar. It is important to understand that the International Energy
Agency's Task 8 committee has identified the Pilbara as one of the top
six locations in the world to develop large-scale solar farms. These are
happening around the world. It would absolutely amaze me that we would not want
to be in there, ensuring that Western Australia and the people of the Pilbara
got a share of the action.
This is a private sector project. We
do not ask private sector projects to develop business cases to be examined by
government. This is a private sector project and there has been no request for
government assistance. The organisation was granted lead project status a few
months ago, so it is now an officially recognised project. The development of
the subsea cable is just one possible part of that proposal. I suggest that the
member might want to have a look at the real improvements in technology
happening around the world with these high voltage direct current cables. They
are being built, linking Africa to Europe and western China to eastern China.
There is no reason to think that we cannot explore these. As I understand it,
this project will also look at supplying the local market for three gigawatts
up to nine gigawatts. There is also the capability that it may not be a subsea
cable; hydrogen may be exported by ship to our Asian markets. This is a very
exciting project and I think we should be encouraging the companies that want
to get out there and invest in Western Australia to do this.
member for the question.
(1)–(3) Yes,
I am aware of the project. I must say that I am very surprised that the member
does not share the enthusiasm for us unleashing the Pilbara's potential
for mass solar. It is important to understand that the International Energy
Agency's Task 8 committee has identified the Pilbara as one of the top
six locations in the world to develop large-scale solar farms. These are
happening around the world. It would absolutely amaze me that we would not want
to be in there, ensuring that Western Australia and the people of the Pilbara
got a share of the action.
This is a private sector project. We
do not ask private sector projects to develop business cases to be examined by
government. This is a private sector project and there has been no request for
government assistance. The organisation was granted lead project status a few
months ago, so it is now an officially recognised project. The development of
the subsea cable is just one possible part of that proposal. I suggest that the
member might want to have a look at the real improvements in technology
happening around the world with these high voltage direct current cables. They
are being built, linking Africa to Europe and western China to eastern China.
There is no reason to think that we cannot explore these. As I understand it,
this project will also look at supplying the local market for three gigawatts
up to nine gigawatts. There is also the capability that it may not be a subsea
cable; hydrogen may be exported by ship to our Asian markets. This is a very
exciting project and I think we should be encouraging the companies that want
to get out there and invest in Western Australia to do this.
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