❓ A parliamentary question regarding delays in approving the Mumbida wind farm project, a joint venture between Western Power and Enercon, and the Minister's response citing concerns about tendering processes, network stability, and fairness to private sector proposals.
AnsweredQoN 822Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer the minister to Labor’s environment election policy, which states “Labor will facilitate renewable power solutions, especially for rural communities”. Similar commitments are made in the Labor Party’s sustainable energy policy. (1) Is the minister aware of the 30 megawatt Mumbida wind farm project proposal near Geraldton, which is a joint venture between Western Power and Enercon Power Corporation Pty Ltd? (2) Will the minister confirm that the proposal has been waiting for his approval for six months? (3) How does the minister reconcile the delay in approval with his Government’s election policy? Mr E.S. RIPPER
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) I thank the member for the question because the issue of the Mumbida wind farm raises a number of policy matters that need to be considered and decided by the Government and me, as the minister. For example, the proposal will require Western Power to obtain turbines from a turbine manufacturing company without going to tender. I regard that as a significant issue and a problem. The proposal does not yet have approval for connection to the network. There are very significant technical issues regarding the connection of wind farms to the network. Mr C.J. Barnett: Go to Albany and have a look. Mr E.S. RIPPER: Every electricity organisation in the country says there are significant technical issues. The Albany wind farm connection has to be regarded as somewhat of an experiment. I am the Minister for Energy. I am not an electrical engineer. However, I do have responsibility for the stability of the electrical system. There is professional engineering advice that technical issues are associated with the stability of the electrical network. I am advised that the Western Power networks business unit has not yet approved the connection arrangements for the Mumbida wind farm. The first issue is whether we allow a government trading enterprise to procure a big purchase of turbines without going to tender. The second issue is whether we allow a wind farm to be connected when we have professional engineering advice that stability issues are associated with the network that might mean that we should not connect that wind farm until there have been further changes. The third issue is whether a Western Power wind farm should be connected to the network ahead of all the other private sector proposals for wind farms. Mr C.J. Barnett: Why? Mr E.S. RIPPER: Because if we are to refuse some of those private sector proposals on technical grounds, then the same rules should be applied to Western Power. A significant number of issues need to be resolved before a decision can be made on Mumbida. The Western Power management and board are considering those issues. It is not a matter in which I have a current direct recommendation from Western Power that is awaiting my decision. It is a matter for discussion between the Western Power management and board and between Western Power and me. In the meantime, Western Power has gone out for a private sector power procurement of renewable energy equivalent to 90 000 renewable energy certificates.
(1) Is the minister aware of the 30 megawatt Mumbida wind farm project proposal near Geraldton, which is a joint venture between Western Power and Enercon Power Corporation Pty Ltd? (2) Will the minister confirm that the proposal has been waiting for his approval for six months? (3) How does the minister reconcile the delay in approval with his Government’s election policy? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for the question because the issue of the Mumbida wind farm raises a number of policy matters that need to be considered and decided by the Government and me, as the minister. For example, the proposal will require Western Power to obtain turbines from a turbine manufacturing company without going to tender. I regard that as a significant issue and a problem. The proposal does not yet have approval for connection to the network. There are very significant technical issues regarding the connection of wind farms to the network. Mr C.J. Barnett: Go to Albany and have a look. Mr E.S. RIPPER: Every electricity organisation in the country says there are significant technical issues. The Albany wind farm connection has to be regarded as somewhat of an experiment. I am the Minister for Energy. I am not an electrical engineer. However, I do have responsibility for the stability of the electrical system. There is professional engineering advice that technical issues are associated with the stability of the electrical network. I am advised that the Western Power networks business unit has not yet approved the connection arrangements for the Mumbida wind farm. The first issue is whether we allow a government trading enterprise to procure a big purchase of turbines without going to tender. The second issue is whether we allow a wind farm to be connected when we have professional engineering advice that stability issues are associated with the network that might mean that we should not connect that wind farm until there have been further changes. The third issue is whether a Western Power wind farm should be connected to the network ahead of all the other private sector proposals for wind farms. Mr C.J. Barnett: Why? Mr E.S. RIPPER: Because if we are to refuse some of those private sector proposals on technical grounds, then the same rules should be applied to Western Power. A significant number of issues need to be resolved before a decision can be made on Mumbida. The Western Power management and board are considering those issues. It is not a matter in which I have a current direct recommendation from Western Power that is awaiting my decision. It is a matter for discussion between the Western Power management and board and between Western Power and me. In the meantime, Western Power has gone out for a private sector power procurement of renewable energy equivalent to 90 000 renewable energy certificates.
(2) Will the minister confirm that the proposal has been waiting for his approval for six months? (3) How does the minister reconcile the delay in approval with his Government’s election policy? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for the question because the issue of the Mumbida wind farm raises a number of policy matters that need to be considered and decided by the Government and me, as the minister. For example, the proposal will require Western Power to obtain turbines from a turbine manufacturing company without going to tender. I regard that as a significant issue and a problem. The proposal does not yet have approval for connection to the network. There are very significant technical issues regarding the connection of wind farms to the network. Mr C.J. Barnett: Go to Albany and have a look. Mr E.S. RIPPER: Every electricity organisation in the country says there are significant technical issues. The Albany wind farm connection has to be regarded as somewhat of an experiment. I am the Minister for Energy. I am not an electrical engineer. However, I do have responsibility for the stability of the electrical system. There is professional engineering advice that technical issues are associated with the stability of the electrical network. I am advised that the Western Power networks business unit has not yet approved the connection arrangements for the Mumbida wind farm. The first issue is whether we allow a government trading enterprise to procure a big purchase of turbines without going to tender. The second issue is whether we allow a wind farm to be connected when we have professional engineering advice that stability issues are associated with the network that might mean that we should not connect that wind farm until there have been further changes. The third issue is whether a Western Power wind farm should be connected to the network ahead of all the other private sector proposals for wind farms. Mr C.J. Barnett: Why? Mr E.S. RIPPER: Because if we are to refuse some of those private sector proposals on technical grounds, then the same rules should be applied to Western Power. A significant number of issues need to be resolved before a decision can be made on Mumbida. The Western Power management and board are considering those issues. It is not a matter in which I have a current direct recommendation from Western Power that is awaiting my decision. It is a matter for discussion between the Western Power management and board and between Western Power and me. In the meantime, Western Power has gone out for a private sector power procurement of renewable energy equivalent to 90 000 renewable energy certificates.
(3) How does the minister reconcile the delay in approval with his Government’s election policy? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for the question because the issue of the Mumbida wind farm raises a number of policy matters that need to be considered and decided by the Government and me, as the minister. For example, the proposal will require Western Power to obtain turbines from a turbine manufacturing company without going to tender. I regard that as a significant issue and a problem. The proposal does not yet have approval for connection to the network. There are very significant technical issues regarding the connection of wind farms to the network. Mr C.J. Barnett: Go to Albany and have a look. Mr E.S. RIPPER: Every electricity organisation in the country says there are significant technical issues. The Albany wind farm connection has to be regarded as somewhat of an experiment. I am the Minister for Energy. I am not an electrical engineer. However, I do have responsibility for the stability of the electrical system. There is professional engineering advice that technical issues are associated with the stability of the electrical network. I am advised that the Western Power networks business unit has not yet approved the connection arrangements for the Mumbida wind farm. The first issue is whether we allow a government trading enterprise to procure a big purchase of turbines without going to tender. The second issue is whether we allow a wind farm to be connected when we have professional engineering advice that stability issues are associated with the network that might mean that we should not connect that wind farm until there have been further changes. The third issue is whether a Western Power wind farm should be connected to the network ahead of all the other private sector proposals for wind farms. Mr C.J. Barnett: Why? Mr E.S. RIPPER: Because if we are to refuse some of those private sector proposals on technical grounds, then the same rules should be applied to Western Power. A significant number of issues need to be resolved before a decision can be made on Mumbida. The Western Power management and board are considering those issues. It is not a matter in which I have a current direct recommendation from Western Power that is awaiting my decision. It is a matter for discussion between the Western Power management and board and between Western Power and me. In the meantime, Western Power has gone out for a private sector power procurement of renewable energy equivalent to 90 000 renewable energy certificates.
Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for the question because the issue of the Mumbida wind farm raises a number of policy matters that need to be considered and decided by the Government and me, as the minister. For example, the proposal will require Western Power to obtain turbines from a turbine manufacturing company without going to tender. I regard that as a significant issue and a problem. The proposal does not yet have approval for connection to the network. There are very significant technical issues regarding the connection of wind farms to the network. Mr C.J. Barnett: Go to Albany and have a look. Mr E.S. RIPPER: Every electricity organisation in the country says there are significant technical issues. The Albany wind farm connection has to be regarded as somewhat of an experiment. I am the Minister for Energy. I am not an electrical engineer. However, I do have responsibility for the stability of the electrical system. There is professional engineering advice that technical issues are associated with the stability of the electrical network. I am advised that the Western Power networks business unit has not yet approved the connection arrangements for the Mumbida wind farm. The first issue is whether we allow a government trading enterprise to procure a big purchase of turbines without going to tender. The second issue is whether we allow a wind farm to be connected when we have professional engineering advice that stability issues are associated with the network that might mean that we should not connect that wind farm until there have been further changes. The third issue is whether a Western Power wind farm should be connected to the network ahead of all the other private sector proposals for wind farms. Mr C.J. Barnett: Why? Mr E.S. RIPPER: Because if we are to refuse some of those private sector proposals on technical grounds, then the same rules should be applied to Western Power. A significant number of issues need to be resolved before a decision can be made on Mumbida. The Western Power management and board are considering those issues. It is not a matter in which I have a current direct recommendation from Western Power that is awaiting my decision. It is a matter for discussion between the Western Power management and board and between Western Power and me. In the meantime, Western Power has gone out for a private sector power procurement of renewable energy equivalent to 90 000 renewable energy certificates.
(1)-(3) I thank the member for the question because the issue of the Mumbida wind farm raises a number of policy matters that need to be considered and decided by the Government and me, as the minister. For example, the proposal will require Western Power to obtain turbines from a turbine manufacturing company without going to tender. I regard that as a significant issue and a problem. The proposal does not yet have approval for connection to the network. There are very significant technical issues regarding the connection of wind farms to the network. Mr C.J. Barnett: Go to Albany and have a look. Mr E.S. RIPPER: Every electricity organisation in the country says there are significant technical issues. The Albany wind farm connection has to be regarded as somewhat of an experiment. I am the Minister for Energy. I am not an electrical engineer. However, I do have responsibility for the stability of the electrical system. There is professional engineering advice that technical issues are associated with the stability of the electrical network. I am advised that the Western Power networks business unit has not yet approved the connection arrangements for the Mumbida wind farm. The first issue is whether we allow a government trading enterprise to procure a big purchase of turbines without going to tender. The second issue is whether we allow a wind farm to be connected when we have professional engineering advice that stability issues are associated with the network that might mean that we should not connect that wind farm until there have been further changes. The third issue is whether a Western Power wind farm should be connected to the network ahead of all the other private sector proposals for wind farms. Mr C.J. Barnett: Why? Mr E.S. RIPPER: Because if we are to refuse some of those private sector proposals on technical grounds, then the same rules should be applied to Western Power. A significant number of issues need to be resolved before a decision can be made on Mumbida. The Western Power management and board are considering those issues. It is not a matter in which I have a current direct recommendation from Western Power that is awaiting my decision. It is a matter for discussion between the Western Power management and board and between Western Power and me. In the meantime, Western Power has gone out for a private sector power procurement of renewable energy equivalent to 90 000 renewable energy certificates.
Mr C.J. Barnett: Go to Albany and have a look. Mr E.S. RIPPER: Every electricity organisation in the country says there are significant technical issues. The Albany wind farm connection has to be regarded as somewhat of an experiment. I am the Minister for Energy. I am not an electrical engineer. However, I do have responsibility for the stability of the electrical system. There is professional engineering advice that technical issues are associated with the stability of the electrical network. I am advised that the Western Power networks business unit has not yet approved the connection arrangements for the Mumbida wind farm. The first issue is whether we allow a government trading enterprise to procure a big purchase of turbines without going to tender. The second issue is whether we allow a wind farm to be connected when we have professional engineering advice that stability issues are associated with the network that might mean that we should not connect that wind farm until there have been further changes. The third issue is whether a Western Power wind farm should be connected to the network ahead of all the other private sector proposals for wind farms. Mr C.J. Barnett: Why? Mr E.S. RIPPER: Because if we are to refuse some of those private sector proposals on technical grounds, then the same rules should be applied to Western Power. A significant number of issues need to be resolved before a decision can be made on Mumbida. The Western Power management and board are considering those issues. It is not a matter in which I have a current direct recommendation from Western Power that is awaiting my decision. It is a matter for discussion between the Western Power management and board and between Western Power and me. In the meantime, Western Power has gone out for a private sector power procurement of renewable energy equivalent to 90 000 renewable energy certificates.
Mr E.S. RIPPER: Every electricity organisation in the country says there are significant technical issues. The Albany wind farm connection has to be regarded as somewhat of an experiment. I am the Minister for Energy. I am not an electrical engineer. However, I do have responsibility for the stability of the electrical system. There is professional engineering advice that technical issues are associated with the stability of the electrical network. I am advised that the Western Power networks business unit has not yet approved the connection arrangements for the Mumbida wind farm. The first issue is whether we allow a government trading enterprise to procure a big purchase of turbines without going to tender. The second issue is whether we allow a wind farm to be connected when we have professional engineering advice that stability issues are associated with the network that might mean that we should not connect that wind farm until there have been further changes. The third issue is whether a Western Power wind farm should be connected to the network ahead of all the other private sector proposals for wind farms. Mr C.J. Barnett: Why? Mr E.S. RIPPER: Because if we are to refuse some of those private sector proposals on technical grounds, then the same rules should be applied to Western Power. A significant number of issues need to be resolved before a decision can be made on Mumbida. The Western Power management and board are considering those issues. It is not a matter in which I have a current direct recommendation from Western Power that is awaiting my decision. It is a matter for discussion between the Western Power management and board and between Western Power and me. In the meantime, Western Power has gone out for a private sector power procurement of renewable energy equivalent to 90 000 renewable energy certificates.
Mr C.J. Barnett: Why? Mr E.S. RIPPER: Because if we are to refuse some of those private sector proposals on technical grounds, then the same rules should be applied to Western Power. A significant number of issues need to be resolved before a decision can be made on Mumbida. The Western Power management and board are considering those issues. It is not a matter in which I have a current direct recommendation from Western Power that is awaiting my decision. It is a matter for discussion between the Western Power management and board and between Western Power and me. In the meantime, Western Power has gone out for a private sector power procurement of renewable energy equivalent to 90 000 renewable energy certificates.
Mr E.S. RIPPER: Because if we are to refuse some of those private sector proposals on technical grounds, then the same rules should be applied to Western Power. A significant number of issues need to be resolved before a decision can be made on Mumbida. The Western Power management and board are considering those issues. It is not a matter in which I have a current direct recommendation from Western Power that is awaiting my decision. It is a matter for discussion between the Western Power management and board and between Western Power and me. In the meantime, Western Power has gone out for a private sector power procurement of renewable energy equivalent to 90 000 renewable energy certificates.
(1) Is the minister aware of the 30 megawatt Mumbida wind farm project proposal near Geraldton, which is a joint venture between Western Power and Enercon Power Corporation Pty Ltd? (2) Will the minister confirm that the proposal has been waiting for his approval for six months? (3) How does the minister reconcile the delay in approval with his Government’s election policy? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for the question because the issue of the Mumbida wind farm raises a number of policy matters that need to be considered and decided by the Government and me, as the minister. For example, the proposal will require Western Power to obtain turbines from a turbine manufacturing company without going to tender. I regard that as a significant issue and a problem. The proposal does not yet have approval for connection to the network. There are very significant technical issues regarding the connection of wind farms to the network. Mr C.J. Barnett: Go to Albany and have a look. Mr E.S. RIPPER: Every electricity organisation in the country says there are significant technical issues. The Albany wind farm connection has to be regarded as somewhat of an experiment. I am the Minister for Energy. I am not an electrical engineer. However, I do have responsibility for the stability of the electrical system. There is professional engineering advice that technical issues are associated with the stability of the electrical network. I am advised that the Western Power networks business unit has not yet approved the connection arrangements for the Mumbida wind farm. The first issue is whether we allow a government trading enterprise to procure a big purchase of turbines without going to tender. The second issue is whether we allow a wind farm to be connected when we have professional engineering advice that stability issues are associated with the network that might mean that we should not connect that wind farm until there have been further changes. The third issue is whether a Western Power wind farm should be connected to the network ahead of all the other private sector proposals for wind farms. Mr C.J. Barnett: Why? Mr E.S. RIPPER: Because if we are to refuse some of those private sector proposals on technical grounds, then the same rules should be applied to Western Power. A significant number of issues need to be resolved before a decision can be made on Mumbida. The Western Power management and board are considering those issues. It is not a matter in which I have a current direct recommendation from Western Power that is awaiting my decision. It is a matter for discussion between the Western Power management and board and between Western Power and me. In the meantime, Western Power has gone out for a private sector power procurement of renewable energy equivalent to 90 000 renewable energy certificates.
(2) Will the minister confirm that the proposal has been waiting for his approval for six months? (3) How does the minister reconcile the delay in approval with his Government’s election policy? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for the question because the issue of the Mumbida wind farm raises a number of policy matters that need to be considered and decided by the Government and me, as the minister. For example, the proposal will require Western Power to obtain turbines from a turbine manufacturing company without going to tender. I regard that as a significant issue and a problem. The proposal does not yet have approval for connection to the network. There are very significant technical issues regarding the connection of wind farms to the network. Mr C.J. Barnett: Go to Albany and have a look. Mr E.S. RIPPER: Every electricity organisation in the country says there are significant technical issues. The Albany wind farm connection has to be regarded as somewhat of an experiment. I am the Minister for Energy. I am not an electrical engineer. However, I do have responsibility for the stability of the electrical system. There is professional engineering advice that technical issues are associated with the stability of the electrical network. I am advised that the Western Power networks business unit has not yet approved the connection arrangements for the Mumbida wind farm. The first issue is whether we allow a government trading enterprise to procure a big purchase of turbines without going to tender. The second issue is whether we allow a wind farm to be connected when we have professional engineering advice that stability issues are associated with the network that might mean that we should not connect that wind farm until there have been further changes. The third issue is whether a Western Power wind farm should be connected to the network ahead of all the other private sector proposals for wind farms. Mr C.J. Barnett: Why? Mr E.S. RIPPER: Because if we are to refuse some of those private sector proposals on technical grounds, then the same rules should be applied to Western Power. A significant number of issues need to be resolved before a decision can be made on Mumbida. The Western Power management and board are considering those issues. It is not a matter in which I have a current direct recommendation from Western Power that is awaiting my decision. It is a matter for discussion between the Western Power management and board and between Western Power and me. In the meantime, Western Power has gone out for a private sector power procurement of renewable energy equivalent to 90 000 renewable energy certificates.
(3) How does the minister reconcile the delay in approval with his Government’s election policy? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for the question because the issue of the Mumbida wind farm raises a number of policy matters that need to be considered and decided by the Government and me, as the minister. For example, the proposal will require Western Power to obtain turbines from a turbine manufacturing company without going to tender. I regard that as a significant issue and a problem. The proposal does not yet have approval for connection to the network. There are very significant technical issues regarding the connection of wind farms to the network. Mr C.J. Barnett: Go to Albany and have a look. Mr E.S. RIPPER: Every electricity organisation in the country says there are significant technical issues. The Albany wind farm connection has to be regarded as somewhat of an experiment. I am the Minister for Energy. I am not an electrical engineer. However, I do have responsibility for the stability of the electrical system. There is professional engineering advice that technical issues are associated with the stability of the electrical network. I am advised that the Western Power networks business unit has not yet approved the connection arrangements for the Mumbida wind farm. The first issue is whether we allow a government trading enterprise to procure a big purchase of turbines without going to tender. The second issue is whether we allow a wind farm to be connected when we have professional engineering advice that stability issues are associated with the network that might mean that we should not connect that wind farm until there have been further changes. The third issue is whether a Western Power wind farm should be connected to the network ahead of all the other private sector proposals for wind farms. Mr C.J. Barnett: Why? Mr E.S. RIPPER: Because if we are to refuse some of those private sector proposals on technical grounds, then the same rules should be applied to Western Power. A significant number of issues need to be resolved before a decision can be made on Mumbida. The Western Power management and board are considering those issues. It is not a matter in which I have a current direct recommendation from Western Power that is awaiting my decision. It is a matter for discussion between the Western Power management and board and between Western Power and me. In the meantime, Western Power has gone out for a private sector power procurement of renewable energy equivalent to 90 000 renewable energy certificates.
Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for the question because the issue of the Mumbida wind farm raises a number of policy matters that need to be considered and decided by the Government and me, as the minister. For example, the proposal will require Western Power to obtain turbines from a turbine manufacturing company without going to tender. I regard that as a significant issue and a problem. The proposal does not yet have approval for connection to the network. There are very significant technical issues regarding the connection of wind farms to the network. Mr C.J. Barnett: Go to Albany and have a look. Mr E.S. RIPPER: Every electricity organisation in the country says there are significant technical issues. The Albany wind farm connection has to be regarded as somewhat of an experiment. I am the Minister for Energy. I am not an electrical engineer. However, I do have responsibility for the stability of the electrical system. There is professional engineering advice that technical issues are associated with the stability of the electrical network. I am advised that the Western Power networks business unit has not yet approved the connection arrangements for the Mumbida wind farm. The first issue is whether we allow a government trading enterprise to procure a big purchase of turbines without going to tender. The second issue is whether we allow a wind farm to be connected when we have professional engineering advice that stability issues are associated with the network that might mean that we should not connect that wind farm until there have been further changes. The third issue is whether a Western Power wind farm should be connected to the network ahead of all the other private sector proposals for wind farms. Mr C.J. Barnett: Why? Mr E.S. RIPPER: Because if we are to refuse some of those private sector proposals on technical grounds, then the same rules should be applied to Western Power. A significant number of issues need to be resolved before a decision can be made on Mumbida. The Western Power management and board are considering those issues. It is not a matter in which I have a current direct recommendation from Western Power that is awaiting my decision. It is a matter for discussion between the Western Power management and board and between Western Power and me. In the meantime, Western Power has gone out for a private sector power procurement of renewable energy equivalent to 90 000 renewable energy certificates.
(1)-(3) I thank the member for the question because the issue of the Mumbida wind farm raises a number of policy matters that need to be considered and decided by the Government and me, as the minister. For example, the proposal will require Western Power to obtain turbines from a turbine manufacturing company without going to tender. I regard that as a significant issue and a problem. The proposal does not yet have approval for connection to the network. There are very significant technical issues regarding the connection of wind farms to the network. Mr C.J. Barnett: Go to Albany and have a look. Mr E.S. RIPPER: Every electricity organisation in the country says there are significant technical issues. The Albany wind farm connection has to be regarded as somewhat of an experiment. I am the Minister for Energy. I am not an electrical engineer. However, I do have responsibility for the stability of the electrical system. There is professional engineering advice that technical issues are associated with the stability of the electrical network. I am advised that the Western Power networks business unit has not yet approved the connection arrangements for the Mumbida wind farm. The first issue is whether we allow a government trading enterprise to procure a big purchase of turbines without going to tender. The second issue is whether we allow a wind farm to be connected when we have professional engineering advice that stability issues are associated with the network that might mean that we should not connect that wind farm until there have been further changes. The third issue is whether a Western Power wind farm should be connected to the network ahead of all the other private sector proposals for wind farms. Mr C.J. Barnett: Why? Mr E.S. RIPPER: Because if we are to refuse some of those private sector proposals on technical grounds, then the same rules should be applied to Western Power. A significant number of issues need to be resolved before a decision can be made on Mumbida. The Western Power management and board are considering those issues. It is not a matter in which I have a current direct recommendation from Western Power that is awaiting my decision. It is a matter for discussion between the Western Power management and board and between Western Power and me. In the meantime, Western Power has gone out for a private sector power procurement of renewable energy equivalent to 90 000 renewable energy certificates.
Mr C.J. Barnett: Go to Albany and have a look. Mr E.S. RIPPER: Every electricity organisation in the country says there are significant technical issues. The Albany wind farm connection has to be regarded as somewhat of an experiment. I am the Minister for Energy. I am not an electrical engineer. However, I do have responsibility for the stability of the electrical system. There is professional engineering advice that technical issues are associated with the stability of the electrical network. I am advised that the Western Power networks business unit has not yet approved the connection arrangements for the Mumbida wind farm. The first issue is whether we allow a government trading enterprise to procure a big purchase of turbines without going to tender. The second issue is whether we allow a wind farm to be connected when we have professional engineering advice that stability issues are associated with the network that might mean that we should not connect that wind farm until there have been further changes. The third issue is whether a Western Power wind farm should be connected to the network ahead of all the other private sector proposals for wind farms. Mr C.J. Barnett: Why? Mr E.S. RIPPER: Because if we are to refuse some of those private sector proposals on technical grounds, then the same rules should be applied to Western Power. A significant number of issues need to be resolved before a decision can be made on Mumbida. The Western Power management and board are considering those issues. It is not a matter in which I have a current direct recommendation from Western Power that is awaiting my decision. It is a matter for discussion between the Western Power management and board and between Western Power and me. In the meantime, Western Power has gone out for a private sector power procurement of renewable energy equivalent to 90 000 renewable energy certificates.
Mr E.S. RIPPER: Every electricity organisation in the country says there are significant technical issues. The Albany wind farm connection has to be regarded as somewhat of an experiment. I am the Minister for Energy. I am not an electrical engineer. However, I do have responsibility for the stability of the electrical system. There is professional engineering advice that technical issues are associated with the stability of the electrical network. I am advised that the Western Power networks business unit has not yet approved the connection arrangements for the Mumbida wind farm. The first issue is whether we allow a government trading enterprise to procure a big purchase of turbines without going to tender. The second issue is whether we allow a wind farm to be connected when we have professional engineering advice that stability issues are associated with the network that might mean that we should not connect that wind farm until there have been further changes. The third issue is whether a Western Power wind farm should be connected to the network ahead of all the other private sector proposals for wind farms. Mr C.J. Barnett: Why? Mr E.S. RIPPER: Because if we are to refuse some of those private sector proposals on technical grounds, then the same rules should be applied to Western Power. A significant number of issues need to be resolved before a decision can be made on Mumbida. The Western Power management and board are considering those issues. It is not a matter in which I have a current direct recommendation from Western Power that is awaiting my decision. It is a matter for discussion between the Western Power management and board and between Western Power and me. In the meantime, Western Power has gone out for a private sector power procurement of renewable energy equivalent to 90 000 renewable energy certificates.
Mr C.J. Barnett: Why? Mr E.S. RIPPER: Because if we are to refuse some of those private sector proposals on technical grounds, then the same rules should be applied to Western Power. A significant number of issues need to be resolved before a decision can be made on Mumbida. The Western Power management and board are considering those issues. It is not a matter in which I have a current direct recommendation from Western Power that is awaiting my decision. It is a matter for discussion between the Western Power management and board and between Western Power and me. In the meantime, Western Power has gone out for a private sector power procurement of renewable energy equivalent to 90 000 renewable energy certificates.
Mr E.S. RIPPER: Because if we are to refuse some of those private sector proposals on technical grounds, then the same rules should be applied to Western Power. A significant number of issues need to be resolved before a decision can be made on Mumbida. The Western Power management and board are considering those issues. It is not a matter in which I have a current direct recommendation from Western Power that is awaiting my decision. It is a matter for discussion between the Western Power management and board and between Western Power and me. In the meantime, Western Power has gone out for a private sector power procurement of renewable energy equivalent to 90 000 renewable energy certificates.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.