Dr. Steve Thomas questions the Minister for Energy regarding a Synergy and Water Corporation study on the feasibility of pumped hydro in Collie. The Minister's response indicates the study faces challenges and is currently under consideration, but details are withheld due to cabinet confidentiality.

AnsweredQoN 1331Legislative Council
Asked
7 November 2023
Portfolio
Energy

QuestionView source ↗

PUMPED HYDRO — COLLIE
1331. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Energy:
I refer to questions without notice
498 of 16 May 2023 and 739 of 22 June 2023.
(1) On what date
did the government receive the Synergy and Water Corporation study into the
feasibility of pumped hydro in Collie?
(2) What external-to-government contractors or
consultants were engaged by Synergy and Water Corporation in the
commissioning of the report, and for what financial remuneration?
(3) Where were
the five locations examined in the assessment of the viability of pumped hydro
in Collie, and how were they selected?
(4) Will the minister confirm to the house his
spokesperson's statement that pumped hydro in Collie is non-viable?
(5) Will the minister table for the
house the Synergy and Water Corporation study; and, if not, why not?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for some notice
of the question. On behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the
Minister for Energy, I provide the following answer.
(1)–(5) Synergy has recently provided its findings to
government and they are now under consideration. The study confirmed
that pumped hydro in the south west interconnected system would face multiple
challenges. The findings are cabinet-in-confidence, so no further details can
be shared at this time.

Explore WA Government Data

Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.

Explore more