❓ A WA parliamentary question seeks transparency regarding Western Power's reporting and the reasons for power restrictions despite apparent generating capacity. The Minister agrees to table a report, clarifies reporting procedures, and cites an ongoing review to explain the power restrictions.
AnsweredQoN 95Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer the minister to his answer given yesterday. (1) Will the minister table the first quarterly report for 2003-04; and, if not, why not? (2) Does Western Power prepare different quarterly reports for the board, or are the board’s quarterly reports the same as the reports given to the minister? (3) If the board is given a different quarterly report, will the minister table the December 2003 quarterly report prepared for the board and; if not, why not? (4) Will the minister explain why power restrictions were necessary on 18 February when, according to the summer update document tabled by the minister, Western Power can generate some 200 megawatts more than the 3 000-megawatt peak load reached on 17 February, even with high temperatures and coal use at Kwinana? Hon TOM STEPHENS
AnswerView source ↗
The Minister for Energy has provided the following reply - (1) Yes, after consultation with the Western Power board as required by section 61 of the Electricity Corporation Act. (2) I am advised that the same report is provided to the minister as is prepared for the board. (3) Not applicable. (4) As the member is aware, a review into the events surrounding the calling of the supply system emergency has commenced. A committee will review and test all relevant information. It is scheduled to report on its findings at the end of March. The review may bring to light additional information or provide a different view of the information contained herein. On 18 February, although Western Power had enough generating plant to meet demand in excess of 3 000 megawatts, with limited availability of gas, not all plant was able to operate at its most efficient output rate.
(1) Will the minister table the first quarterly report for 2003-04; and, if not, why not? (2) Does Western Power prepare different quarterly reports for the board, or are the board’s quarterly reports the same as the reports given to the minister? (3) If the board is given a different quarterly report, will the minister table the December 2003 quarterly report prepared for the board and; if not, why not? (4) Will the minister explain why power restrictions were necessary on 18 February when, according to the summer update document tabled by the minister, Western Power can generate some 200 megawatts more than the 3 000-megawatt peak load reached on 17 February, even with high temperatures and coal use at Kwinana? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for Energy has provided the following reply - (1) Yes, after consultation with the Western Power board as required by section 61 of the Electricity Corporation Act. (2) I am advised that the same report is provided to the minister as is prepared for the board. (3) Not applicable. (4) As the member is aware, a review into the events surrounding the calling of the supply system emergency has commenced. A committee will review and test all relevant information. It is scheduled to report on its findings at the end of March. The review may bring to light additional information or provide a different view of the information contained herein. On 18 February, although Western Power had enough generating plant to meet demand in excess of 3 000 megawatts, with limited availability of gas, not all plant was able to operate at its most efficient output rate.
(2) Does Western Power prepare different quarterly reports for the board, or are the board’s quarterly reports the same as the reports given to the minister? (3) If the board is given a different quarterly report, will the minister table the December 2003 quarterly report prepared for the board and; if not, why not? (4) Will the minister explain why power restrictions were necessary on 18 February when, according to the summer update document tabled by the minister, Western Power can generate some 200 megawatts more than the 3 000-megawatt peak load reached on 17 February, even with high temperatures and coal use at Kwinana? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for Energy has provided the following reply - (1) Yes, after consultation with the Western Power board as required by section 61 of the Electricity Corporation Act. (2) I am advised that the same report is provided to the minister as is prepared for the board. (3) Not applicable. (4) As the member is aware, a review into the events surrounding the calling of the supply system emergency has commenced. A committee will review and test all relevant information. It is scheduled to report on its findings at the end of March. The review may bring to light additional information or provide a different view of the information contained herein. On 18 February, although Western Power had enough generating plant to meet demand in excess of 3 000 megawatts, with limited availability of gas, not all plant was able to operate at its most efficient output rate.
(3) If the board is given a different quarterly report, will the minister table the December 2003 quarterly report prepared for the board and; if not, why not? (4) Will the minister explain why power restrictions were necessary on 18 February when, according to the summer update document tabled by the minister, Western Power can generate some 200 megawatts more than the 3 000-megawatt peak load reached on 17 February, even with high temperatures and coal use at Kwinana? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for Energy has provided the following reply - (1) Yes, after consultation with the Western Power board as required by section 61 of the Electricity Corporation Act. (2) I am advised that the same report is provided to the minister as is prepared for the board. (3) Not applicable. (4) As the member is aware, a review into the events surrounding the calling of the supply system emergency has commenced. A committee will review and test all relevant information. It is scheduled to report on its findings at the end of March. The review may bring to light additional information or provide a different view of the information contained herein. On 18 February, although Western Power had enough generating plant to meet demand in excess of 3 000 megawatts, with limited availability of gas, not all plant was able to operate at its most efficient output rate.
(4) Will the minister explain why power restrictions were necessary on 18 February when, according to the summer update document tabled by the minister, Western Power can generate some 200 megawatts more than the 3 000-megawatt peak load reached on 17 February, even with high temperatures and coal use at Kwinana? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for Energy has provided the following reply - (1) Yes, after consultation with the Western Power board as required by section 61 of the Electricity Corporation Act. (2) I am advised that the same report is provided to the minister as is prepared for the board. (3) Not applicable. (4) As the member is aware, a review into the events surrounding the calling of the supply system emergency has commenced. A committee will review and test all relevant information. It is scheduled to report on its findings at the end of March. The review may bring to light additional information or provide a different view of the information contained herein. On 18 February, although Western Power had enough generating plant to meet demand in excess of 3 000 megawatts, with limited availability of gas, not all plant was able to operate at its most efficient output rate.
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for Energy has provided the following reply - (1) Yes, after consultation with the Western Power board as required by section 61 of the Electricity Corporation Act. (2) I am advised that the same report is provided to the minister as is prepared for the board. (3) Not applicable. (4) As the member is aware, a review into the events surrounding the calling of the supply system emergency has commenced. A committee will review and test all relevant information. It is scheduled to report on its findings at the end of March. The review may bring to light additional information or provide a different view of the information contained herein. On 18 February, although Western Power had enough generating plant to meet demand in excess of 3 000 megawatts, with limited availability of gas, not all plant was able to operate at its most efficient output rate.
The Minister for Energy has provided the following reply - (1) Yes, after consultation with the Western Power board as required by section 61 of the Electricity Corporation Act. (2) I am advised that the same report is provided to the minister as is prepared for the board. (3) Not applicable. (4) As the member is aware, a review into the events surrounding the calling of the supply system emergency has commenced. A committee will review and test all relevant information. It is scheduled to report on its findings at the end of March. The review may bring to light additional information or provide a different view of the information contained herein. On 18 February, although Western Power had enough generating plant to meet demand in excess of 3 000 megawatts, with limited availability of gas, not all plant was able to operate at its most efficient output rate.
(1) Yes, after consultation with the Western Power board as required by section 61 of the Electricity Corporation Act. (2) I am advised that the same report is provided to the minister as is prepared for the board. (3) Not applicable. (4) As the member is aware, a review into the events surrounding the calling of the supply system emergency has commenced. A committee will review and test all relevant information. It is scheduled to report on its findings at the end of March. The review may bring to light additional information or provide a different view of the information contained herein. On 18 February, although Western Power had enough generating plant to meet demand in excess of 3 000 megawatts, with limited availability of gas, not all plant was able to operate at its most efficient output rate.
(2) I am advised that the same report is provided to the minister as is prepared for the board. (3) Not applicable. (4) As the member is aware, a review into the events surrounding the calling of the supply system emergency has commenced. A committee will review and test all relevant information. It is scheduled to report on its findings at the end of March. The review may bring to light additional information or provide a different view of the information contained herein. On 18 February, although Western Power had enough generating plant to meet demand in excess of 3 000 megawatts, with limited availability of gas, not all plant was able to operate at its most efficient output rate.
(3) Not applicable. (4) As the member is aware, a review into the events surrounding the calling of the supply system emergency has commenced. A committee will review and test all relevant information. It is scheduled to report on its findings at the end of March. The review may bring to light additional information or provide a different view of the information contained herein. On 18 February, although Western Power had enough generating plant to meet demand in excess of 3 000 megawatts, with limited availability of gas, not all plant was able to operate at its most efficient output rate.
(4) As the member is aware, a review into the events surrounding the calling of the supply system emergency has commenced. A committee will review and test all relevant information. It is scheduled to report on its findings at the end of March. The review may bring to light additional information or provide a different view of the information contained herein. On 18 February, although Western Power had enough generating plant to meet demand in excess of 3 000 megawatts, with limited availability of gas, not all plant was able to operate at its most efficient output rate.
(1) Will the minister table the first quarterly report for 2003-04; and, if not, why not? (2) Does Western Power prepare different quarterly reports for the board, or are the board’s quarterly reports the same as the reports given to the minister? (3) If the board is given a different quarterly report, will the minister table the December 2003 quarterly report prepared for the board and; if not, why not? (4) Will the minister explain why power restrictions were necessary on 18 February when, according to the summer update document tabled by the minister, Western Power can generate some 200 megawatts more than the 3 000-megawatt peak load reached on 17 February, even with high temperatures and coal use at Kwinana? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for Energy has provided the following reply - (1) Yes, after consultation with the Western Power board as required by section 61 of the Electricity Corporation Act. (2) I am advised that the same report is provided to the minister as is prepared for the board. (3) Not applicable. (4) As the member is aware, a review into the events surrounding the calling of the supply system emergency has commenced. A committee will review and test all relevant information. It is scheduled to report on its findings at the end of March. The review may bring to light additional information or provide a different view of the information contained herein. On 18 February, although Western Power had enough generating plant to meet demand in excess of 3 000 megawatts, with limited availability of gas, not all plant was able to operate at its most efficient output rate.
(2) Does Western Power prepare different quarterly reports for the board, or are the board’s quarterly reports the same as the reports given to the minister? (3) If the board is given a different quarterly report, will the minister table the December 2003 quarterly report prepared for the board and; if not, why not? (4) Will the minister explain why power restrictions were necessary on 18 February when, according to the summer update document tabled by the minister, Western Power can generate some 200 megawatts more than the 3 000-megawatt peak load reached on 17 February, even with high temperatures and coal use at Kwinana? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for Energy has provided the following reply - (1) Yes, after consultation with the Western Power board as required by section 61 of the Electricity Corporation Act. (2) I am advised that the same report is provided to the minister as is prepared for the board. (3) Not applicable. (4) As the member is aware, a review into the events surrounding the calling of the supply system emergency has commenced. A committee will review and test all relevant information. It is scheduled to report on its findings at the end of March. The review may bring to light additional information or provide a different view of the information contained herein. On 18 February, although Western Power had enough generating plant to meet demand in excess of 3 000 megawatts, with limited availability of gas, not all plant was able to operate at its most efficient output rate.
(3) If the board is given a different quarterly report, will the minister table the December 2003 quarterly report prepared for the board and; if not, why not? (4) Will the minister explain why power restrictions were necessary on 18 February when, according to the summer update document tabled by the minister, Western Power can generate some 200 megawatts more than the 3 000-megawatt peak load reached on 17 February, even with high temperatures and coal use at Kwinana? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for Energy has provided the following reply - (1) Yes, after consultation with the Western Power board as required by section 61 of the Electricity Corporation Act. (2) I am advised that the same report is provided to the minister as is prepared for the board. (3) Not applicable. (4) As the member is aware, a review into the events surrounding the calling of the supply system emergency has commenced. A committee will review and test all relevant information. It is scheduled to report on its findings at the end of March. The review may bring to light additional information or provide a different view of the information contained herein. On 18 February, although Western Power had enough generating plant to meet demand in excess of 3 000 megawatts, with limited availability of gas, not all plant was able to operate at its most efficient output rate.
(4) Will the minister explain why power restrictions were necessary on 18 February when, according to the summer update document tabled by the minister, Western Power can generate some 200 megawatts more than the 3 000-megawatt peak load reached on 17 February, even with high temperatures and coal use at Kwinana? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for Energy has provided the following reply - (1) Yes, after consultation with the Western Power board as required by section 61 of the Electricity Corporation Act. (2) I am advised that the same report is provided to the minister as is prepared for the board. (3) Not applicable. (4) As the member is aware, a review into the events surrounding the calling of the supply system emergency has commenced. A committee will review and test all relevant information. It is scheduled to report on its findings at the end of March. The review may bring to light additional information or provide a different view of the information contained herein. On 18 February, although Western Power had enough generating plant to meet demand in excess of 3 000 megawatts, with limited availability of gas, not all plant was able to operate at its most efficient output rate.
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for Energy has provided the following reply - (1) Yes, after consultation with the Western Power board as required by section 61 of the Electricity Corporation Act. (2) I am advised that the same report is provided to the minister as is prepared for the board. (3) Not applicable. (4) As the member is aware, a review into the events surrounding the calling of the supply system emergency has commenced. A committee will review and test all relevant information. It is scheduled to report on its findings at the end of March. The review may bring to light additional information or provide a different view of the information contained herein. On 18 February, although Western Power had enough generating plant to meet demand in excess of 3 000 megawatts, with limited availability of gas, not all plant was able to operate at its most efficient output rate.
The Minister for Energy has provided the following reply - (1) Yes, after consultation with the Western Power board as required by section 61 of the Electricity Corporation Act. (2) I am advised that the same report is provided to the minister as is prepared for the board. (3) Not applicable. (4) As the member is aware, a review into the events surrounding the calling of the supply system emergency has commenced. A committee will review and test all relevant information. It is scheduled to report on its findings at the end of March. The review may bring to light additional information or provide a different view of the information contained herein. On 18 February, although Western Power had enough generating plant to meet demand in excess of 3 000 megawatts, with limited availability of gas, not all plant was able to operate at its most efficient output rate.
(1) Yes, after consultation with the Western Power board as required by section 61 of the Electricity Corporation Act. (2) I am advised that the same report is provided to the minister as is prepared for the board. (3) Not applicable. (4) As the member is aware, a review into the events surrounding the calling of the supply system emergency has commenced. A committee will review and test all relevant information. It is scheduled to report on its findings at the end of March. The review may bring to light additional information or provide a different view of the information contained herein. On 18 February, although Western Power had enough generating plant to meet demand in excess of 3 000 megawatts, with limited availability of gas, not all plant was able to operate at its most efficient output rate.
(2) I am advised that the same report is provided to the minister as is prepared for the board. (3) Not applicable. (4) As the member is aware, a review into the events surrounding the calling of the supply system emergency has commenced. A committee will review and test all relevant information. It is scheduled to report on its findings at the end of March. The review may bring to light additional information or provide a different view of the information contained herein. On 18 February, although Western Power had enough generating plant to meet demand in excess of 3 000 megawatts, with limited availability of gas, not all plant was able to operate at its most efficient output rate.
(3) Not applicable. (4) As the member is aware, a review into the events surrounding the calling of the supply system emergency has commenced. A committee will review and test all relevant information. It is scheduled to report on its findings at the end of March. The review may bring to light additional information or provide a different view of the information contained herein. On 18 February, although Western Power had enough generating plant to meet demand in excess of 3 000 megawatts, with limited availability of gas, not all plant was able to operate at its most efficient output rate.
(4) As the member is aware, a review into the events surrounding the calling of the supply system emergency has commenced. A committee will review and test all relevant information. It is scheduled to report on its findings at the end of March. The review may bring to light additional information or provide a different view of the information contained herein. On 18 February, although Western Power had enough generating plant to meet demand in excess of 3 000 megawatts, with limited availability of gas, not all plant was able to operate at its most efficient output rate.
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