❓ Dr. Steve Thomas questions the Minister for Energy regarding Western Power's rural power supply allocation policy, specifically the shift from 32-amp to 63-amp. The Minister denies a 'backflip' and states Western Power is addressing the issue directly, offering limited compensation.
AnsweredQoN 419Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
WESTERN POWER — SUPPLY ALLOCATION
419. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Energy:
I refer to the Minister for Energy's
backflip media statement of 3 April 2023, titled ''New across the board
standard power supply allocation for SWIS'', in light of the extended
communication debacle and fiscal imposts suffered by regional businesses and
regional consumers impacted by Western Power's ill-conceived 32-amp
regional supply discrimination.
(1) Does the
government's welcome but lacking in any detail backflip on the regional
power discrimination policy mean that the supply of 63 amps to regional power
users is safe after all?
(2) If yes to
(1), was Western Power's use of safety as a justification for the
discriminatory policy untrue?
(3) Will the
minister commit to implement a comprehensive compensation package to all
regional businesses and households impacted by the application of the 32-amp
regional power discrimination policy?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
419. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Energy:
I refer to the Minister for Energy's
backflip media statement of 3 April 2023, titled ''New across the board
standard power supply allocation for SWIS'', in light of the extended
communication debacle and fiscal imposts suffered by regional businesses and
regional consumers impacted by Western Power's ill-conceived 32-amp
regional supply discrimination.
(1) Does the
government's welcome but lacking in any detail backflip on the regional
power discrimination policy mean that the supply of 63 amps to regional power
users is safe after all?
(2) If yes to
(1), was Western Power's use of safety as a justification for the
discriminatory policy untrue?
(3) Will the
minister commit to implement a comprehensive compensation package to all
regional businesses and households impacted by the application of the 32-amp
regional power discrimination policy?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice
of the question. The following answer has been provided to me by the Minister
for Energy.
(1)–(2) There has been no
backflip regarding this matter.
Hon Dr Steve Thomas : There's
comedy already!
Hon MATTHEW SWINBOURN : Do you
want the answer?
The PRESIDENT : Order! I will
respond to members' interjections if you respond to the question.
Hon MATTHEW SWINBOURN : Thank
you. I shall endeavour to do so, hopefully without interruption.
Western Power listened to community
and industry feedback and initiated a desktop review of the rural standard
supply allocation. The review concluded it may be possible to increase rural
supply allocations from 32-amp single-phase to 63-amp single-phase, in line
with metropolitan connections. Following this, Western Power conducted a trial
to test increasing rural supply allocation to 63-amp single-phase across seven
local government areas in the south west and wheatbelt regions. This work was
required to confirm that the rural supply allocation could be increased without
causing safety and reliability issues.
(3)–(4) No
compensation is required because Western Power is taking direct action. For
eligible customers who installed a lower
rated main switch circuit breaker between 1 August 2021 and 11 April 2023,
Western Power will reimburse the cost of a main switch circuit breaker
upgrade to the value of $250.
of the question. The following answer has been provided to me by the Minister
for Energy.
(1)–(2) There has been no
backflip regarding this matter.
Hon Dr Steve Thomas : There's
comedy already!
Hon MATTHEW SWINBOURN : Do you
want the answer?
The PRESIDENT : Order! I will
respond to members' interjections if you respond to the question.
Hon MATTHEW SWINBOURN : Thank
you. I shall endeavour to do so, hopefully without interruption.
Western Power listened to community
and industry feedback and initiated a desktop review of the rural standard
supply allocation. The review concluded it may be possible to increase rural
supply allocations from 32-amp single-phase to 63-amp single-phase, in line
with metropolitan connections. Following this, Western Power conducted a trial
to test increasing rural supply allocation to 63-amp single-phase across seven
local government areas in the south west and wheatbelt regions. This work was
required to confirm that the rural supply allocation could be increased without
causing safety and reliability issues.
(3)–(4) No
compensation is required because Western Power is taking direct action. For
eligible customers who installed a lower
rated main switch circuit breaker between 1 August 2021 and 11 April 2023,
Western Power will reimburse the cost of a main switch circuit breaker
upgrade to the value of $250.
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