❓ Mr. Murray questions the Minister for Energy about the potential closure of Muja A and B power stations after refurbishment, given the announced retirement of 380MW of state-owned generation capacity. The Minister's response is somewhat evasive, highlighting the plant's current profitability and deferring the decision to Synergy.
AnsweredQoN 222Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
MUJA POWER
STATIONS
222. Mr M.P. MURRAY to the
Minister for Energy:
I refer to the minister's announcement today that he
has accepted all the recommendations from the ''Reforms to the Reserve
Capacity Mechanism'' report, including retiring 380 megawatts of
state-owned generation capacity by 1 October 2018.
(1) After
spending $330 million on the refurbishment of Muja A and B, does the minister
now plan to close it and its 240-megawatt capacity?
(2) If the minister is going to close it, why did he say in
2013 that, after completion, it will be sold?
(3) How many jobs will be lost in Collie due to this policy?
STATIONS
222. Mr M.P. MURRAY to the
Minister for Energy:
I refer to the minister's announcement today that he
has accepted all the recommendations from the ''Reforms to the Reserve
Capacity Mechanism'' report, including retiring 380 megawatts of
state-owned generation capacity by 1 October 2018.
(1) After
spending $330 million on the refurbishment of Muja A and B, does the minister
now plan to close it and its 240-megawatt capacity?
(2) If the minister is going to close it, why did he say in
2013 that, after completion, it will be sold?
(3) How many jobs will be lost in Collie due to this policy?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question.
(1)–(3) Yes,
I did make those announcements. Shortly, I will direct Synergy to retire 380
megawatts of installed capacity. I also indicated that I look forward to
Synergy recommending what mix of plant that is composed of. The member jumped
to the conclusion that it would automatically be Muja A and B. I find the
member's criticism of us refurbishing Muja A and B very strange, given
that it was brought on board during the commitment to reopen Muja A and B after
the explosion on Varanus Island, and it helped rescue the state's
electricity supply. We went on to refurbish Muja A and B, which employed a large
number of people in the member's electorate, and it still does, both in
the operation of the mine and in the operation of the plant. I find it very
strange that the member is criticising us for reopening the plant. He should
tell his electorate that that is the case.
Mr
B.S. Wyatt : Are you closing it?
Dr
M.D. NAHAN : Yes; let me get to the question. Right now Muja A and B is one
of Synergy's most profitable plants. As long as it is one of the most
profitable plants, the answer is no. I indicated, as is set out in the report,
that Synergy will come forward and indicate to me the mix of fleet that adds up
to 380 megawatts that we will close in 2018. I look forward to that
information.
(1)–(3) Yes,
I did make those announcements. Shortly, I will direct Synergy to retire 380
megawatts of installed capacity. I also indicated that I look forward to
Synergy recommending what mix of plant that is composed of. The member jumped
to the conclusion that it would automatically be Muja A and B. I find the
member's criticism of us refurbishing Muja A and B very strange, given
that it was brought on board during the commitment to reopen Muja A and B after
the explosion on Varanus Island, and it helped rescue the state's
electricity supply. We went on to refurbish Muja A and B, which employed a large
number of people in the member's electorate, and it still does, both in
the operation of the mine and in the operation of the plant. I find it very
strange that the member is criticising us for reopening the plant. He should
tell his electorate that that is the case.
Mr
B.S. Wyatt : Are you closing it?
Dr
M.D. NAHAN : Yes; let me get to the question. Right now Muja A and B is one
of Synergy's most profitable plants. As long as it is one of the most
profitable plants, the answer is no. I indicated, as is set out in the report,
that Synergy will come forward and indicate to me the mix of fleet that adds up
to 380 megawatts that we will close in 2018. I look forward to that
information.
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