❓ Hon Robin Chapple questions the lack of a renewable energy access regime despite deregulation for larger electricity customers and the existence of the REAWG. The answer acknowledges shortcomings in current arrangements and outlines steps taken, but highlights Western Power's commercial constraints.
AnsweredQoN 630Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Electricity customers with 34kW average demand and above have been deregulated since October 2000 for the purpose of taking renewable energy supply. Customers with 6kW demand and above have been deregulated since July 2001. Why is there still no renewable energy access regime?
(2) The Renewable Energy Access Working Group (REAWG) was formed in late 1999 to establish a renewable energy access regime because all parties acknowledged that the existing access regime, designed for very large fossil fuel generator access, cannot apply to renewable generators. Why are renewable generators, such as Landfill Gas and Power stations, being forced to use the black power access regime?
(2) The Renewable Energy Access Working Group (REAWG) was formed in late 1999 to establish a renewable energy access regime because all parties acknowledged that the existing access regime, designed for very large fossil fuel generator access, cannot apply to renewable generators. Why are renewable generators, such as Landfill Gas and Power stations, being forced to use the black power access regime?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
18 June 2002
Responded by
Minister for Housing and Works representing the Minister for Energy
Response time
40 days
The Renewable Energy Access Working Group (REAWG) was formed to allow industry stakeholders and potential customers to provide advice, input and recommendations on the provision of access to Western Power's networks to enable the supply of renewable energy by private industry to customers. All parties acknowledge that the existing access arrangements for non-renewable energy were not sufficient for renewable energy given the different characteristics of renewable generators. Access arrangements for renewable energy, including generator and retailer support services, have been put in place by Western Power under the provisions and requirement of its Act. It is acknowledged however that some of the terms of the access arrangements are not acceptable to all renewable energy proponents and hence they may not presently facilitate the development of renewable energy projects as the Government intends. (2) REAWG, which first met on 24 March 2000, is chaired by the Office of Energy and has provided a mechanism for renewable energy proponents and Western Power to canvass the issues. Some of those issues have been outside the brief given to the REAWG and those matters have been referred to the Government for broader consideration. Western Power is required by its legislation to address issues within its commercial objectives. In its present form as a vertically integrated entity this requirement has constrained its scope to address some of the issues associated with the access arrangements, including supply of balancing energy, in terms that would facilitate private proponents competing against Western Power for customers. The Minister for Energy has given consideration to further representations of the Sustainable Energy Industry Association members to him. He has subsequently undertaken to provide additional services to renewable energy suppliers to further assist them to sell their product to customers. These undertakings were read into Hansard by the Hon Robin Chapple on 21 May 2002.
Access arrangements for renewable energy, including generator and retailer support services, have been put in place by Western Power under the provisions and requirement of its Act. It is acknowledged however that some of the terms of the access arrangements are not acceptable to all renewable energy proponents and hence they may not presently facilitate the development of renewable energy projects as the Government intends. (2) REAWG, which first met on 24 March 2000, is chaired by the Office of Energy and has provided a mechanism for renewable energy proponents and Western Power to canvass the issues. Some of those issues have been outside the brief given to the REAWG and those matters have been referred to the Government for broader consideration. Western Power is required by its legislation to address issues within its commercial objectives. In its present form as a vertically integrated entity this requirement has constrained its scope to address some of the issues associated with the access arrangements, including supply of balancing energy, in terms that would facilitate private proponents competing against Western Power for customers. The Minister for Energy has given consideration to further representations of the Sustainable Energy Industry Association members to him. He has subsequently undertaken to provide additional services to renewable energy suppliers to further assist them to sell their product to customers. These undertakings were read into Hansard by the Hon Robin Chapple on 21 May 2002.
(2) REAWG, which first met on 24 March 2000, is chaired by the Office of Energy and has provided a mechanism for renewable energy proponents and Western Power to canvass the issues. Some of those issues have been outside the brief given to the REAWG and those matters have been referred to the Government for broader consideration. Western Power is required by its legislation to address issues within its commercial objectives. In its present form as a vertically integrated entity this requirement has constrained its scope to address some of the issues associated with the access arrangements, including supply of balancing energy, in terms that would facilitate private proponents competing against Western Power for customers. The Minister for Energy has given consideration to further representations of the Sustainable Energy Industry Association members to him. He has subsequently undertaken to provide additional services to renewable energy suppliers to further assist them to sell their product to customers. These undertakings were read into Hansard by the Hon Robin Chapple on 21 May 2002.
Western Power is required by its legislation to address issues within its commercial objectives. In its present form as a vertically integrated entity this requirement has constrained its scope to address some of the issues associated with the access arrangements, including supply of balancing energy, in terms that would facilitate private proponents competing against Western Power for customers. The Minister for Energy has given consideration to further representations of the Sustainable Energy Industry Association members to him. He has subsequently undertaken to provide additional services to renewable energy suppliers to further assist them to sell their product to customers. These undertakings were read into Hansard by the Hon Robin Chapple on 21 May 2002.
Access arrangements for renewable energy, including generator and retailer support services, have been put in place by Western Power under the provisions and requirement of its Act. It is acknowledged however that some of the terms of the access arrangements are not acceptable to all renewable energy proponents and hence they may not presently facilitate the development of renewable energy projects as the Government intends. (2) REAWG, which first met on 24 March 2000, is chaired by the Office of Energy and has provided a mechanism for renewable energy proponents and Western Power to canvass the issues. Some of those issues have been outside the brief given to the REAWG and those matters have been referred to the Government for broader consideration. Western Power is required by its legislation to address issues within its commercial objectives. In its present form as a vertically integrated entity this requirement has constrained its scope to address some of the issues associated with the access arrangements, including supply of balancing energy, in terms that would facilitate private proponents competing against Western Power for customers. The Minister for Energy has given consideration to further representations of the Sustainable Energy Industry Association members to him. He has subsequently undertaken to provide additional services to renewable energy suppliers to further assist them to sell their product to customers. These undertakings were read into Hansard by the Hon Robin Chapple on 21 May 2002.
(2) REAWG, which first met on 24 March 2000, is chaired by the Office of Energy and has provided a mechanism for renewable energy proponents and Western Power to canvass the issues. Some of those issues have been outside the brief given to the REAWG and those matters have been referred to the Government for broader consideration. Western Power is required by its legislation to address issues within its commercial objectives. In its present form as a vertically integrated entity this requirement has constrained its scope to address some of the issues associated with the access arrangements, including supply of balancing energy, in terms that would facilitate private proponents competing against Western Power for customers. The Minister for Energy has given consideration to further representations of the Sustainable Energy Industry Association members to him. He has subsequently undertaken to provide additional services to renewable energy suppliers to further assist them to sell their product to customers. These undertakings were read into Hansard by the Hon Robin Chapple on 21 May 2002.
Western Power is required by its legislation to address issues within its commercial objectives. In its present form as a vertically integrated entity this requirement has constrained its scope to address some of the issues associated with the access arrangements, including supply of balancing energy, in terms that would facilitate private proponents competing against Western Power for customers. The Minister for Energy has given consideration to further representations of the Sustainable Energy Industry Association members to him. He has subsequently undertaken to provide additional services to renewable energy suppliers to further assist them to sell their product to customers. These undertakings were read into Hansard by the Hon Robin Chapple on 21 May 2002.
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