❓ Opposition questions the Minister about the cost and environmental impact of converting Kwinana power station to burn oil and continuing to burn coal. The Minister defends the decision as necessary for security of supply due to gas transport constraints, blaming a previous privatisation.
AnsweredQoN 412Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Will the minister confirm whether Kwinana power station will be converted at a cost of several million dollars to enable it to burn liquid fuel or oil, and that 25 000 tonnes of oil will be stored at the power station? (2) Will the minister confirm that 25 000 tonnes of oil will be imported at a cost of approximately $20 million to the Western Australian taxpayer? (3) Will Kwinana power station also continue to burn coal, despite the fact that this was supposed to cease under environmental conditions as part of the new $300 million gas-fired Cockburn power station? Mr E.S. RIPPER
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) I have three words for the Leader of the Opposition: security of supply. That is the overriding priority for our community. Earlier this year a circumstance arose in which gas transport capacity was not available for the gas that Western Power needed to supply the electricity that the community demanded on the third of three particularly hot and humid days. We need to prepare so that, if at all possible, our community is protected from that sort of circumstance. Gas transport constraint is a risk faced by the electricity supply system. One answer to mitigate that risk is to have dual fuel capacity at Kwinana, although dual fuel capacity is not ideal economically; liquid fuels cost a lot more. Mr C.J. Barnett: They are 500 per cent, or five to six times, more. Mr E.S. RIPPER: It costs a lot more than gas. However, if, as a result of a botched privatisation, we face the risk of gas transport capacity not being available, in the interests of our community, it is prudent to provide dual fuel capacity at Kwinana. If the gas is not available, the electricity can still be generated to provide power for the community. I cannot confirm the details referred to in the Leader of the Opposition’s question. However, I can confirm that oil-firing capacity is being installed at Kwinana, and oil is being imported. I make no apology for that. We need to provide for the electricity security of our community in the face of the consequences of the botched privatisation of the pipeline engaged in by the Leader of the Opposition.
(2) Will the minister confirm that 25 000 tonnes of oil will be imported at a cost of approximately $20 million to the Western Australian taxpayer? (3) Will Kwinana power station also continue to burn coal, despite the fact that this was supposed to cease under environmental conditions as part of the new $300 million gas-fired Cockburn power station? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) I have three words for the Leader of the Opposition: security of supply. That is the overriding priority for our community. Earlier this year a circumstance arose in which gas transport capacity was not available for the gas that Western Power needed to supply the electricity that the community demanded on the third of three particularly hot and humid days. We need to prepare so that, if at all possible, our community is protected from that sort of circumstance. Gas transport constraint is a risk faced by the electricity supply system. One answer to mitigate that risk is to have dual fuel capacity at Kwinana, although dual fuel capacity is not ideal economically; liquid fuels cost a lot more. Mr C.J. Barnett: They are 500 per cent, or five to six times, more. Mr E.S. RIPPER: It costs a lot more than gas. However, if, as a result of a botched privatisation, we face the risk of gas transport capacity not being available, in the interests of our community, it is prudent to provide dual fuel capacity at Kwinana. If the gas is not available, the electricity can still be generated to provide power for the community. I cannot confirm the details referred to in the Leader of the Opposition’s question. However, I can confirm that oil-firing capacity is being installed at Kwinana, and oil is being imported. I make no apology for that. We need to provide for the electricity security of our community in the face of the consequences of the botched privatisation of the pipeline engaged in by the Leader of the Opposition.
(3) Will Kwinana power station also continue to burn coal, despite the fact that this was supposed to cease under environmental conditions as part of the new $300 million gas-fired Cockburn power station? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) I have three words for the Leader of the Opposition: security of supply. That is the overriding priority for our community. Earlier this year a circumstance arose in which gas transport capacity was not available for the gas that Western Power needed to supply the electricity that the community demanded on the third of three particularly hot and humid days. We need to prepare so that, if at all possible, our community is protected from that sort of circumstance. Gas transport constraint is a risk faced by the electricity supply system. One answer to mitigate that risk is to have dual fuel capacity at Kwinana, although dual fuel capacity is not ideal economically; liquid fuels cost a lot more. Mr C.J. Barnett: They are 500 per cent, or five to six times, more. Mr E.S. RIPPER: It costs a lot more than gas. However, if, as a result of a botched privatisation, we face the risk of gas transport capacity not being available, in the interests of our community, it is prudent to provide dual fuel capacity at Kwinana. If the gas is not available, the electricity can still be generated to provide power for the community. I cannot confirm the details referred to in the Leader of the Opposition’s question. However, I can confirm that oil-firing capacity is being installed at Kwinana, and oil is being imported. I make no apology for that. We need to provide for the electricity security of our community in the face of the consequences of the botched privatisation of the pipeline engaged in by the Leader of the Opposition.
Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) I have three words for the Leader of the Opposition: security of supply. That is the overriding priority for our community. Earlier this year a circumstance arose in which gas transport capacity was not available for the gas that Western Power needed to supply the electricity that the community demanded on the third of three particularly hot and humid days. We need to prepare so that, if at all possible, our community is protected from that sort of circumstance. Gas transport constraint is a risk faced by the electricity supply system. One answer to mitigate that risk is to have dual fuel capacity at Kwinana, although dual fuel capacity is not ideal economically; liquid fuels cost a lot more. Mr C.J. Barnett: They are 500 per cent, or five to six times, more. Mr E.S. RIPPER: It costs a lot more than gas. However, if, as a result of a botched privatisation, we face the risk of gas transport capacity not being available, in the interests of our community, it is prudent to provide dual fuel capacity at Kwinana. If the gas is not available, the electricity can still be generated to provide power for the community. I cannot confirm the details referred to in the Leader of the Opposition’s question. However, I can confirm that oil-firing capacity is being installed at Kwinana, and oil is being imported. I make no apology for that. We need to provide for the electricity security of our community in the face of the consequences of the botched privatisation of the pipeline engaged in by the Leader of the Opposition.
(1)-(3) I have three words for the Leader of the Opposition: security of supply. That is the overriding priority for our community. Earlier this year a circumstance arose in which gas transport capacity was not available for the gas that Western Power needed to supply the electricity that the community demanded on the third of three particularly hot and humid days. We need to prepare so that, if at all possible, our community is protected from that sort of circumstance. Gas transport constraint is a risk faced by the electricity supply system. One answer to mitigate that risk is to have dual fuel capacity at Kwinana, although dual fuel capacity is not ideal economically; liquid fuels cost a lot more. Mr C.J. Barnett: They are 500 per cent, or five to six times, more. Mr E.S. RIPPER: It costs a lot more than gas. However, if, as a result of a botched privatisation, we face the risk of gas transport capacity not being available, in the interests of our community, it is prudent to provide dual fuel capacity at Kwinana. If the gas is not available, the electricity can still be generated to provide power for the community. I cannot confirm the details referred to in the Leader of the Opposition’s question. However, I can confirm that oil-firing capacity is being installed at Kwinana, and oil is being imported. I make no apology for that. We need to provide for the electricity security of our community in the face of the consequences of the botched privatisation of the pipeline engaged in by the Leader of the Opposition.
Mr C.J. Barnett: They are 500 per cent, or five to six times, more. Mr E.S. RIPPER: It costs a lot more than gas. However, if, as a result of a botched privatisation, we face the risk of gas transport capacity not being available, in the interests of our community, it is prudent to provide dual fuel capacity at Kwinana. If the gas is not available, the electricity can still be generated to provide power for the community. I cannot confirm the details referred to in the Leader of the Opposition’s question. However, I can confirm that oil-firing capacity is being installed at Kwinana, and oil is being imported. I make no apology for that. We need to provide for the electricity security of our community in the face of the consequences of the botched privatisation of the pipeline engaged in by the Leader of the Opposition.
Mr E.S. RIPPER: It costs a lot more than gas. However, if, as a result of a botched privatisation, we face the risk of gas transport capacity not being available, in the interests of our community, it is prudent to provide dual fuel capacity at Kwinana. If the gas is not available, the electricity can still be generated to provide power for the community. I cannot confirm the details referred to in the Leader of the Opposition’s question. However, I can confirm that oil-firing capacity is being installed at Kwinana, and oil is being imported. I make no apology for that. We need to provide for the electricity security of our community in the face of the consequences of the botched privatisation of the pipeline engaged in by the Leader of the Opposition.
(2) Will the minister confirm that 25 000 tonnes of oil will be imported at a cost of approximately $20 million to the Western Australian taxpayer? (3) Will Kwinana power station also continue to burn coal, despite the fact that this was supposed to cease under environmental conditions as part of the new $300 million gas-fired Cockburn power station? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) I have three words for the Leader of the Opposition: security of supply. That is the overriding priority for our community. Earlier this year a circumstance arose in which gas transport capacity was not available for the gas that Western Power needed to supply the electricity that the community demanded on the third of three particularly hot and humid days. We need to prepare so that, if at all possible, our community is protected from that sort of circumstance. Gas transport constraint is a risk faced by the electricity supply system. One answer to mitigate that risk is to have dual fuel capacity at Kwinana, although dual fuel capacity is not ideal economically; liquid fuels cost a lot more. Mr C.J. Barnett: They are 500 per cent, or five to six times, more. Mr E.S. RIPPER: It costs a lot more than gas. However, if, as a result of a botched privatisation, we face the risk of gas transport capacity not being available, in the interests of our community, it is prudent to provide dual fuel capacity at Kwinana. If the gas is not available, the electricity can still be generated to provide power for the community. I cannot confirm the details referred to in the Leader of the Opposition’s question. However, I can confirm that oil-firing capacity is being installed at Kwinana, and oil is being imported. I make no apology for that. We need to provide for the electricity security of our community in the face of the consequences of the botched privatisation of the pipeline engaged in by the Leader of the Opposition.
(3) Will Kwinana power station also continue to burn coal, despite the fact that this was supposed to cease under environmental conditions as part of the new $300 million gas-fired Cockburn power station? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) I have three words for the Leader of the Opposition: security of supply. That is the overriding priority for our community. Earlier this year a circumstance arose in which gas transport capacity was not available for the gas that Western Power needed to supply the electricity that the community demanded on the third of three particularly hot and humid days. We need to prepare so that, if at all possible, our community is protected from that sort of circumstance. Gas transport constraint is a risk faced by the electricity supply system. One answer to mitigate that risk is to have dual fuel capacity at Kwinana, although dual fuel capacity is not ideal economically; liquid fuels cost a lot more. Mr C.J. Barnett: They are 500 per cent, or five to six times, more. Mr E.S. RIPPER: It costs a lot more than gas. However, if, as a result of a botched privatisation, we face the risk of gas transport capacity not being available, in the interests of our community, it is prudent to provide dual fuel capacity at Kwinana. If the gas is not available, the electricity can still be generated to provide power for the community. I cannot confirm the details referred to in the Leader of the Opposition’s question. However, I can confirm that oil-firing capacity is being installed at Kwinana, and oil is being imported. I make no apology for that. We need to provide for the electricity security of our community in the face of the consequences of the botched privatisation of the pipeline engaged in by the Leader of the Opposition.
Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) I have three words for the Leader of the Opposition: security of supply. That is the overriding priority for our community. Earlier this year a circumstance arose in which gas transport capacity was not available for the gas that Western Power needed to supply the electricity that the community demanded on the third of three particularly hot and humid days. We need to prepare so that, if at all possible, our community is protected from that sort of circumstance. Gas transport constraint is a risk faced by the electricity supply system. One answer to mitigate that risk is to have dual fuel capacity at Kwinana, although dual fuel capacity is not ideal economically; liquid fuels cost a lot more. Mr C.J. Barnett: They are 500 per cent, or five to six times, more. Mr E.S. RIPPER: It costs a lot more than gas. However, if, as a result of a botched privatisation, we face the risk of gas transport capacity not being available, in the interests of our community, it is prudent to provide dual fuel capacity at Kwinana. If the gas is not available, the electricity can still be generated to provide power for the community. I cannot confirm the details referred to in the Leader of the Opposition’s question. However, I can confirm that oil-firing capacity is being installed at Kwinana, and oil is being imported. I make no apology for that. We need to provide for the electricity security of our community in the face of the consequences of the botched privatisation of the pipeline engaged in by the Leader of the Opposition.
(1)-(3) I have three words for the Leader of the Opposition: security of supply. That is the overriding priority for our community. Earlier this year a circumstance arose in which gas transport capacity was not available for the gas that Western Power needed to supply the electricity that the community demanded on the third of three particularly hot and humid days. We need to prepare so that, if at all possible, our community is protected from that sort of circumstance. Gas transport constraint is a risk faced by the electricity supply system. One answer to mitigate that risk is to have dual fuel capacity at Kwinana, although dual fuel capacity is not ideal economically; liquid fuels cost a lot more. Mr C.J. Barnett: They are 500 per cent, or five to six times, more. Mr E.S. RIPPER: It costs a lot more than gas. However, if, as a result of a botched privatisation, we face the risk of gas transport capacity not being available, in the interests of our community, it is prudent to provide dual fuel capacity at Kwinana. If the gas is not available, the electricity can still be generated to provide power for the community. I cannot confirm the details referred to in the Leader of the Opposition’s question. However, I can confirm that oil-firing capacity is being installed at Kwinana, and oil is being imported. I make no apology for that. We need to provide for the electricity security of our community in the face of the consequences of the botched privatisation of the pipeline engaged in by the Leader of the Opposition.
Mr C.J. Barnett: They are 500 per cent, or five to six times, more. Mr E.S. RIPPER: It costs a lot more than gas. However, if, as a result of a botched privatisation, we face the risk of gas transport capacity not being available, in the interests of our community, it is prudent to provide dual fuel capacity at Kwinana. If the gas is not available, the electricity can still be generated to provide power for the community. I cannot confirm the details referred to in the Leader of the Opposition’s question. However, I can confirm that oil-firing capacity is being installed at Kwinana, and oil is being imported. I make no apology for that. We need to provide for the electricity security of our community in the face of the consequences of the botched privatisation of the pipeline engaged in by the Leader of the Opposition.
Mr E.S. RIPPER: It costs a lot more than gas. However, if, as a result of a botched privatisation, we face the risk of gas transport capacity not being available, in the interests of our community, it is prudent to provide dual fuel capacity at Kwinana. If the gas is not available, the electricity can still be generated to provide power for the community. I cannot confirm the details referred to in the Leader of the Opposition’s question. However, I can confirm that oil-firing capacity is being installed at Kwinana, and oil is being imported. I make no apology for that. We need to provide for the electricity security of our community in the face of the consequences of the botched privatisation of the pipeline engaged in by the Leader of the Opposition.
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