❓ Mr. Ripper questions the Minister for Energy on alternative projects to support if the Kimberley tidal power project doesn't receive funding. Mr. Barnett defends the decision, citing Commonwealth criteria favoring off-grid projects and promoting existing remote area power schemes.
AnsweredQoN 300Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
As the minister is refusing to spend this money on the Kimberley tidal power project, what other projects does the State intend to support if the partnership agreement is finally signed? Mr BARNETT
AnswerView source ↗
Members must understand that if the so-called commonwealth moneys were allocated to the proposed Kimberley or Derby tidal project, not one dollar would be left for any other renewable energy project in Western Australia. The commonwealth scheme refers to off-grid projects. Some of the best applications of renewable energy are in areas that can be grid connected; for example, photovoltaic units produce electricity during the day, any surplus electricity can be sold back into the grid and the grid can be drawn on during the night. That is probably the most efficient application of renewable energy, on environmental, technical and cost grounds. The commonwealth criteria do not allow for those projects. Mr Ripper: That is why you should spend it on the Kimberley tidal power project. Mr BARNETT: The member for Belmont might be aware that the State Government introduced a remote area power scheme about three years ago. Some 160 applications have been put in place in Western Australia. It has been very successful. The member raised the issue of the Kimberley tidal scheme. He may be surprised to know that the Kimberley tidal scheme may not qualify for the criteria the Commonwealth has laid down. We have written to Senator Hill pointing that out as well.
Mr BARNETT replied: Members must understand that if the so-called commonwealth moneys were allocated to the proposed Kimberley or Derby tidal project, not one dollar would be left for any other renewable energy project in Western Australia. The commonwealth scheme refers to off-grid projects. Some of the best applications of renewable energy are in areas that can be grid connected; for example, photovoltaic units produce electricity during the day, any surplus electricity can be sold back into the grid and the grid can be drawn on during the night. That is probably the most efficient application of renewable energy, on environmental, technical and cost grounds. The commonwealth criteria do not allow for those projects. Mr Ripper: That is why you should spend it on the Kimberley tidal power project. Mr BARNETT: The member for Belmont might be aware that the State Government introduced a remote area power scheme about three years ago. Some 160 applications have been put in place in Western Australia. It has been very successful. The member raised the issue of the Kimberley tidal scheme. He may be surprised to know that the Kimberley tidal scheme may not qualify for the criteria the Commonwealth has laid down. We have written to Senator Hill pointing that out as well.
Members must understand that if the so-called commonwealth moneys were allocated to the proposed Kimberley or Derby tidal project, not one dollar would be left for any other renewable energy project in Western Australia. The commonwealth scheme refers to off-grid projects. Some of the best applications of renewable energy are in areas that can be grid connected; for example, photovoltaic units produce electricity during the day, any surplus electricity can be sold back into the grid and the grid can be drawn on during the night. That is probably the most efficient application of renewable energy, on environmental, technical and cost grounds. The commonwealth criteria do not allow for those projects. Mr Ripper: That is why you should spend it on the Kimberley tidal power project. Mr BARNETT: The member for Belmont might be aware that the State Government introduced a remote area power scheme about three years ago. Some 160 applications have been put in place in Western Australia. It has been very successful. The member raised the issue of the Kimberley tidal scheme. He may be surprised to know that the Kimberley tidal scheme may not qualify for the criteria the Commonwealth has laid down. We have written to Senator Hill pointing that out as well.
Mr Ripper: That is why you should spend it on the Kimberley tidal power project. Mr BARNETT: The member for Belmont might be aware that the State Government introduced a remote area power scheme about three years ago. Some 160 applications have been put in place in Western Australia. It has been very successful. The member raised the issue of the Kimberley tidal scheme. He may be surprised to know that the Kimberley tidal scheme may not qualify for the criteria the Commonwealth has laid down. We have written to Senator Hill pointing that out as well.
Mr BARNETT: The member for Belmont might be aware that the State Government introduced a remote area power scheme about three years ago. Some 160 applications have been put in place in Western Australia. It has been very successful. The member raised the issue of the Kimberley tidal scheme. He may be surprised to know that the Kimberley tidal scheme may not qualify for the criteria the Commonwealth has laid down. We have written to Senator Hill pointing that out as well.
Mr BARNETT replied: Members must understand that if the so-called commonwealth moneys were allocated to the proposed Kimberley or Derby tidal project, not one dollar would be left for any other renewable energy project in Western Australia. The commonwealth scheme refers to off-grid projects. Some of the best applications of renewable energy are in areas that can be grid connected; for example, photovoltaic units produce electricity during the day, any surplus electricity can be sold back into the grid and the grid can be drawn on during the night. That is probably the most efficient application of renewable energy, on environmental, technical and cost grounds. The commonwealth criteria do not allow for those projects. Mr Ripper: That is why you should spend it on the Kimberley tidal power project. Mr BARNETT: The member for Belmont might be aware that the State Government introduced a remote area power scheme about three years ago. Some 160 applications have been put in place in Western Australia. It has been very successful. The member raised the issue of the Kimberley tidal scheme. He may be surprised to know that the Kimberley tidal scheme may not qualify for the criteria the Commonwealth has laid down. We have written to Senator Hill pointing that out as well.
Members must understand that if the so-called commonwealth moneys were allocated to the proposed Kimberley or Derby tidal project, not one dollar would be left for any other renewable energy project in Western Australia. The commonwealth scheme refers to off-grid projects. Some of the best applications of renewable energy are in areas that can be grid connected; for example, photovoltaic units produce electricity during the day, any surplus electricity can be sold back into the grid and the grid can be drawn on during the night. That is probably the most efficient application of renewable energy, on environmental, technical and cost grounds. The commonwealth criteria do not allow for those projects. Mr Ripper: That is why you should spend it on the Kimberley tidal power project. Mr BARNETT: The member for Belmont might be aware that the State Government introduced a remote area power scheme about three years ago. Some 160 applications have been put in place in Western Australia. It has been very successful. The member raised the issue of the Kimberley tidal scheme. He may be surprised to know that the Kimberley tidal scheme may not qualify for the criteria the Commonwealth has laid down. We have written to Senator Hill pointing that out as well.
Mr Ripper: That is why you should spend it on the Kimberley tidal power project. Mr BARNETT: The member for Belmont might be aware that the State Government introduced a remote area power scheme about three years ago. Some 160 applications have been put in place in Western Australia. It has been very successful. The member raised the issue of the Kimberley tidal scheme. He may be surprised to know that the Kimberley tidal scheme may not qualify for the criteria the Commonwealth has laid down. We have written to Senator Hill pointing that out as well.
Mr BARNETT: The member for Belmont might be aware that the State Government introduced a remote area power scheme about three years ago. Some 160 applications have been put in place in Western Australia. It has been very successful. The member raised the issue of the Kimberley tidal scheme. He may be surprised to know that the Kimberley tidal scheme may not qualify for the criteria the Commonwealth has laid down. We have written to Senator Hill pointing that out as well.
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