❓ Hon James Hayward questions the Minister for Energy regarding the capacity of the South West Interconnected System (SWIS), specifically concerning 32-amp circuit breaker requirements, upgrade costs, metropolitan grid investments, and potential disparities in electricity access between regional and metropolitan areas.
AnsweredQoN 848Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
SOUTH WEST INTERCONNECTED SYSTEM
848. Hon JAMES HAYWARD to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Energy:
I refer to the capacity of the
regional south west interconnected system.
(1) What is the
total number of connection points in Western Australia where customers are
required to install 32-amp circuit breakers?
(2) What is the
estimated cost of upgrading the SWIS to ensure all Western Australians have the
ability to install 63-amp circuit breakers?
(3) Can the
minister advise why Western Power recently announced the investment of $10.4 million
to upgrade parts of the metropolitan grid and how these costs will be passed on
directly to the customers who will benefit from the upgrades?
(4) Can the
minister confirm there is a two-tiered electricity grid in Western Australia
and some regional Western Australians are not able to access the same standard
of electricity supply as those who live in metropolitan areas?
848. Hon JAMES HAYWARD to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Energy:
I refer to the capacity of the
regional south west interconnected system.
(1) What is the
total number of connection points in Western Australia where customers are
required to install 32-amp circuit breakers?
(2) What is the
estimated cost of upgrading the SWIS to ensure all Western Australians have the
ability to install 63-amp circuit breakers?
(3) Can the
minister advise why Western Power recently announced the investment of $10.4 million
to upgrade parts of the metropolitan grid and how these costs will be passed on
directly to the customers who will benefit from the upgrades?
(4) Can the
minister confirm there is a two-tiered electricity grid in Western Australia
and some regional Western Australians are not able to access the same standard
of electricity supply as those who live in metropolitan areas?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice
of the question. The following information has been provided to me by the
Minister for Energy.
Customers who have opted to maintain
the default 32-amp connection are now required to install a circuit breaker for
protection at their main circuit board. Customers who wish to upgrade their
connection can do so, which has always been the case.
(1) Western Power
has around 1.1 million connections and approximately 170 000 are rural
connections where the rural standard connection is 32-amp single phase.
(2) Western Power
is conducting a review of the rural supply allocations of 32-amp single phase
240 volt connections utilising available advanced metering infrastructure, and
will report the findings and recommendations to the minister by the end of the
month.
(3) Western Power
has invested $10.4 million following unprecedented load conditions experienced
during Christmas 2021. The upgrade involves reinforcement works across multiple
substations. These costs are already included in existing budgets designed to
maintain and secure the regulated network and will not lead to any increase in
costs or costs passed through to customers.
(4) Customers in
regional and metropolitan Western Australia can access the electricity
connection that meets their needs. It is up to property owners to determine
what their needs may be and to meet the costs of any upgrades they request.
of the question. The following information has been provided to me by the
Minister for Energy.
Customers who have opted to maintain
the default 32-amp connection are now required to install a circuit breaker for
protection at their main circuit board. Customers who wish to upgrade their
connection can do so, which has always been the case.
(1) Western Power
has around 1.1 million connections and approximately 170 000 are rural
connections where the rural standard connection is 32-amp single phase.
(2) Western Power
is conducting a review of the rural supply allocations of 32-amp single phase
240 volt connections utilising available advanced metering infrastructure, and
will report the findings and recommendations to the minister by the end of the
month.
(3) Western Power
has invested $10.4 million following unprecedented load conditions experienced
during Christmas 2021. The upgrade involves reinforcement works across multiple
substations. These costs are already included in existing budgets designed to
maintain and secure the regulated network and will not lead to any increase in
costs or costs passed through to customers.
(4) Customers in
regional and metropolitan Western Australia can access the electricity
connection that meets their needs. It is up to property owners to determine
what their needs may be and to meet the costs of any upgrades they request.
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