❓ Hon Dr Steve Thomas questions the WA government's proposed $100,000 per megawatt hour connection fee for new private renewable projects to the South West Interconnected System, seeking modelling, subsidy plans, and cost estimates. The Minister's response confirms the Fixed Capital Charge (FCC) implementation to replace existing variable charges, stating network cost recovery mechanisms remain unchanged.
AnsweredQoN 59Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
South West Interconnected System—Connection fee
59. Hon Dr Steve Thomas to the Leader of the House representing the Minister for
Energy and Decarbonisation:
I refer to the
government's proposed connection fee of $100,000 per megawatt hour for new
private renewable projects.
(1) What modelling has the government done to
assess the costs of connection of new renewable projects to the South West
Interconnected System, and can the minister please provide that modelling?
(2) Will the government subsidise connection costs
above $100,000 per megawatt hour?
(3) If yes to (2), what are the estimates of cost
of government subsidies for connection by renewables per megawatt hour for any
or all projects examined to date?
(4) What is the total projected cost of government
subsidies for renewable connections over $100,000 for the next four years?
(5) When will a decision be made and when will
this information be released?
The President: I refer to standing order 105. That is
a very long question that seeks a fair amount of data. The Minister for
Agriculture and Food.
59. Hon Dr Steve Thomas to the Leader of the House representing the Minister for
Energy and Decarbonisation:
I refer to the
government's proposed connection fee of $100,000 per megawatt hour for new
private renewable projects.
(1) What modelling has the government done to
assess the costs of connection of new renewable projects to the South West
Interconnected System, and can the minister please provide that modelling?
(2) Will the government subsidise connection costs
above $100,000 per megawatt hour?
(3) If yes to (2), what are the estimates of cost
of government subsidies for connection by renewables per megawatt hour for any
or all projects examined to date?
(4) What is the total projected cost of government
subsidies for renewable connections over $100,000 for the next four years?
(5) When will a decision be made and when will
this information be released?
The President: I refer to standing order 105. That is
a very long question that seeks a fair amount of data. The Minister for
Agriculture and Food.
AnswerView source ↗
Thankfully
the answer is concise. I thank the honourable member for some notice of the
question. On behalf of the Leader of the House, the following answer has been
provided by the Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation.
(1)–(5) The fixed capital charge (FCC) is
proposed to be implemented on 1 July 2026 to replace the existing, variable
shared assets' component of Western Power's capital contributions framework. Network
costs are recovered through capital contributions and network tariffs. This
will not change with the introduction of the FCC.
the answer is concise. I thank the honourable member for some notice of the
question. On behalf of the Leader of the House, the following answer has been
provided by the Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation.
(1)–(5) The fixed capital charge (FCC) is
proposed to be implemented on 1 July 2026 to replace the existing, variable
shared assets' component of Western Power's capital contributions framework. Network
costs are recovered through capital contributions and network tariffs. This
will not change with the introduction of the FCC.
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