❓ Dr. Thomas questions the government's plan to close coal-fired power stations by 2029, inquiring about the required additional gas generation, its providers, and the availability of least-cost generation modelling. The Minister's response highlights market-driven capacity procurement and confidentiality concerns regarding modelling data.
AnsweredQoN 664Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Coal-fired power stations664.Hon Dr Steve Thomasto theLeader of the House
representing the Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation:It looks like my
question without notice of which some notice has been given is to the Minister
for Agriculture and Food representing the Leader of the House representing the
Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation!I refer to my question
without notice 638 of 9 September 2025 on the Cook government's self-imposed
timeframe for closure of all coal-fired power stations by October 2029.(1) In relation to part (2) of the minister's answer,
how much additional gas generation will be required to be added to the South
West Interconnected System to achieve the government's self-imposed coal
closure timeframe?(2) Who or whom will provide the required
additional gas-fired electrical generation, and what is the government's
designated timeframe for its delivery?(3) Will the minister table to the house "the
modelled least-cost generation mix for the South West Interconnected System"?(4) If no to (3),why not?The President:Minister for Agriculture and Food;
Fisheries; Forestry; Small Business; Mid West.
representing the Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation:It looks like my
question without notice of which some notice has been given is to the Minister
for Agriculture and Food representing the Leader of the House representing the
Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation!I refer to my question
without notice 638 of 9 September 2025 on the Cook government's self-imposed
timeframe for closure of all coal-fired power stations by October 2029.(1) In relation to part (2) of the minister's answer,
how much additional gas generation will be required to be added to the South
West Interconnected System to achieve the government's self-imposed coal
closure timeframe?(2) Who or whom will provide the required
additional gas-fired electrical generation, and what is the government's
designated timeframe for its delivery?(3) Will the minister table to the house "the
modelled least-cost generation mix for the South West Interconnected System"?(4) If no to (3),why not?The President:Minister for Agriculture and Food;
Fisheries; Forestry; Small Business; Mid West.
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
10 September 2025
Response time
0 days
Hon Jackie Jarvis replied:Thank you,
President. I prefer not to use my full title; it makes me feel tired!I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question. The following response has
been provided by the Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation.(1) The amount of gas generation capacity required
in future years is dependent on several factors, including actual demand
growth, new generation and storage entering the market, the type of new capacity
entering, and the actual uptake of rooftop solar and household battery storage.(2) The Australian Energy Market Operator seeks
capacity—generation, storage and demand-side participation—each
year for the capacity year, which is 1 October to 30 September, two years
subsequent, based on the capacity needed to meet electricity demand in the
South West Interconnected System. Market entry to provide generation and
storage in this annual process is a matter for current and prospective energy
market participants.(3)–(4) Least-cost generation modelling
has informed development of the upcoming SWIS transmission plan, and is
underpinned by confidential information provided by project proponents.
Coal-fired power stations
President. I prefer not to use my full title; it makes me feel tired!I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question. The following response has
been provided by the Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation.(1) The amount of gas generation capacity required
in future years is dependent on several factors, including actual demand
growth, new generation and storage entering the market, the type of new capacity
entering, and the actual uptake of rooftop solar and household battery storage.(2) The Australian Energy Market Operator seeks
capacity—generation, storage and demand-side participation—each
year for the capacity year, which is 1 October to 30 September, two years
subsequent, based on the capacity needed to meet electricity demand in the
South West Interconnected System. Market entry to provide generation and
storage in this annual process is a matter for current and prospective energy
market participants.(3)–(4) Least-cost generation modelling
has informed development of the upcoming SWIS transmission plan, and is
underpinned by confidential information provided by project proponents.
Coal-fired power stations
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