❓ Dr. Thomas questions the need for PoweringWA, inquiring about prior responsibilities and government neglect. The response defends PoweringWA as necessary for a complex energy transformation exceeding existing agencies' scope.
AnsweredQoN 1514Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
ENERGY — POWERINGWA
1514. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Energy:
I refer to the joint media release
of 17 November 2023 from the Minister for State and Industry Development, Jobs and Trade and the Minister for Energy trumpeting
the establishment of PoweringWA to coordinate the delivery of new
electricity infrastructure with responsibility for planning, community
consultation, industry liaison and project management.
(1) Before the announced establishment of PoweringWA,
who or whom was responsible for coordinating the delivery of new
electricity infrastructure, planning, community consultation, industry liaison
and project management?
(2) With the
removal of the above duties to PoweringWA, what role does the previous provider
now deliver in energy projects in Western Australia?
(3) How will the establishment of PoweringWA rectify
the government's tacit admission of nearly seven y ears of
neglect in futureproofing the state's power grid?
1514. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Energy:
I refer to the joint media release
of 17 November 2023 from the Minister for State and Industry Development, Jobs and Trade and the Minister for Energy trumpeting
the establishment of PoweringWA to coordinate the delivery of new
electricity infrastructure with responsibility for planning, community
consultation, industry liaison and project management.
(1) Before the announced establishment of PoweringWA,
who or whom was responsible for coordinating the delivery of new
electricity infrastructure, planning, community consultation, industry liaison
and project management?
(2) With the
removal of the above duties to PoweringWA, what role does the previous provider
now deliver in energy projects in Western Australia?
(3) How will the establishment of PoweringWA rectify
the government's tacit admission of nearly seven y ears of
neglect in futureproofing the state's power grid?
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 on behalf of the Minister
for Energy.
(1)–(3) It
is over 15 years since load growth required significant new transmission
infrastructure in the south west of Western Australia. The Cook Labor
government commissioned the Whole of system plan and the SWIS demand
assessment and has been planning for new transmission infrastructure. This
transformation is large and complex and needs
to be delivered at pace to meet decarbonisation ambitions. The scope of this
electricity infrastructure build, which includes transmission, general and
storage, reaches outside of Western Power and beyond the
responsibilities of any one existing agency. The Cook government is creating
PoweringWA as a new specialised entity to coordinate the actions required and
to ensure that the WA community is engaged
during the process. PoweringWA has been supported by all major users of the south west interconnected system.
of the question. On behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the
Minister for Energy, I provide the following answer on behalf of the Minister
for Energy.
(1)–(3) It
is over 15 years since load growth required significant new transmission
infrastructure in the south west of Western Australia. The Cook Labor
government commissioned the Whole of system plan and the SWIS demand
assessment and has been planning for new transmission infrastructure. This
transformation is large and complex and needs
to be delivered at pace to meet decarbonisation ambitions. The scope of this
electricity infrastructure build, which includes transmission, general and
storage, reaches outside of Western Power and beyond the
responsibilities of any one existing agency. The Cook government is creating
PoweringWA as a new specialised entity to coordinate the actions required and
to ensure that the WA community is engaged
during the process. PoweringWA has been supported by all major users of the south west interconnected system.
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