❓ Dr. Steve Thomas questions the Minister for Water regarding the Water Corporation's battery storage plan, including risks, approvals, costs, deferral reasons, and expenditure. The Minister's response is vague, citing public availability of reports and commercial confidentiality.
AnsweredQoN 1099Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
WATER CORPORATION — BATTERY STORAGE PLAN
1099. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Water:
I refer to Infrastructure Western Australia's Major infrastructure proposal assessment, Water Corporation: Energy
procurement plan—battery storage , completed in March 2023 but not
released until 1 September 2023.
(1) What are the
inherent risks in the development and delivery of the Water Corporation's
battery storage plan identified by Infrastructure WA?
(2) Was the Water Corporation's
battery storage plan given Treasury approval; and, if so, when?
(3) As at 18 September 2023, what are the projected
development costs associated with delivering the Water Corporation's
battery storage plan?
(4) With the
Water Corporation's public acknowledgement of the deferral of the
project, stating in the media that the plan was deferred until reforms in the
state energy market could be implemented, will the minister detail the specific
energy reforms required to deliver the Water Corporation's battery
storage plan?
(5) How much has
the Water Corporation spent on this plan to date?
1099. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Water:
I refer to Infrastructure Western Australia's Major infrastructure proposal assessment, Water Corporation: Energy
procurement plan—battery storage , completed in March 2023 but not
released until 1 September 2023.
(1) What are the
inherent risks in the development and delivery of the Water Corporation's
battery storage plan identified by Infrastructure WA?
(2) Was the Water Corporation's
battery storage plan given Treasury approval; and, if so, when?
(3) As at 18 September 2023, what are the projected
development costs associated with delivering the Water Corporation's
battery storage plan?
(4) With the
Water Corporation's public acknowledgement of the deferral of the
project, stating in the media that the plan was deferred until reforms in the
state energy market could be implemented, will the minister detail the specific
energy reforms required to deliver the Water Corporation's battery
storage plan?
(5) How much has
the Water Corporation spent on this plan to date?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. I provide the following answer on behalf of the
Minister for Water.
(1) Infrastructure Western Australia's
assessment reports are publicly available.
(2)–(5) The
battery project is an opportunity to test new models to deliver net-zero
projects in accordance with the Water Corporation's obligations and
receive appropriate government approval.
The Water Corporation is continuing
to work proactively with the government, other government trading enterprises
and Infrastructure Western Australia to inform any future proposals. Any costs
related to the plan are commercial-in-confidence.
some notice of the question. I provide the following answer on behalf of the
Minister for Water.
(1) Infrastructure Western Australia's
assessment reports are publicly available.
(2)–(5) The
battery project is an opportunity to test new models to deliver net-zero
projects in accordance with the Water Corporation's obligations and
receive appropriate government approval.
The Water Corporation is continuing
to work proactively with the government, other government trading enterprises
and Infrastructure Western Australia to inform any future proposals. Any costs
related to the plan are commercial-in-confidence.
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