❓ Opposition questions the government's energy transition plan following AEMO's call for more gas generation and seeks guarantees regarding the closure of Collie coal-fired power stations. Government reaffirms commitment to existing closure dates and states AEMO's modelling is not a government document.
AnsweredQoN 778Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
COAL-FIRED POWER
STATIONS — CLOSURE
778. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Energy:
I refer to the comments of the WA
head of the Australian Energy Market Operator, Ms Kate Ryan, in The West
Australian on Tuesday, 18 June 2024. The article said —
� WA would need investment in both
new gas fields and power stations.
''We would like to see two or
three small gas plants (join) our system �
''Based on the modelling we've
seen we feel there is going to be a need for additional investment in gas fired
generation''.
(1) Now that the
market operator, AEMO, has called for more gas generation in order to keep the
lights on at a price that consumers can afford, will the government change its
energy transition plan to something that might actually work?
(2) If not, why not?
(3) When Ms Ryan was asked on radio yesterday whether
we could see further extensions to the state's coal- fired power
stations run by the state, she said, ''I think it's too early to
say''.
(a) Will the government guarantee to
close the Collie coal-fired stations on its current timelines?
(b) Or, will the
government allow for the extension of life of any of the Collie coal-fired
stations; and, if so, until when?
(4) Has the minister seen the
modelling referred to by Ms Ryan, and will he table it?
STATIONS — CLOSURE
778. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Energy:
I refer to the comments of the WA
head of the Australian Energy Market Operator, Ms Kate Ryan, in The West
Australian on Tuesday, 18 June 2024. The article said —
� WA would need investment in both
new gas fields and power stations.
''We would like to see two or
three small gas plants (join) our system �
''Based on the modelling we've
seen we feel there is going to be a need for additional investment in gas fired
generation''.
(1) Now that the
market operator, AEMO, has called for more gas generation in order to keep the
lights on at a price that consumers can afford, will the government change its
energy transition plan to something that might actually work?
(2) If not, why not?
(3) When Ms Ryan was asked on radio yesterday whether
we could see further extensions to the state's coal- fired power
stations run by the state, she said, ''I think it's too early to
say''.
(a) Will the government guarantee to
close the Collie coal-fired stations on its current timelines?
(b) Or, will the
government allow for the extension of life of any of the Collie coal-fired
stations; and, if so, until when?
(4) Has the minister seen the
modelling referred to by Ms Ryan, and will he table it?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of his interesting question, given the announcement this morning.
On behalf of the Minister for Energy, I provide the following answer.
(1) The state
government is confident that its plan for a sensible, staged transition away
from coal will support a reliable and affordable electricity system.
(2) Not applicable.
(3) (a)–(b)
The state government remains committed to the closure date of 1 October 2029
for the final Synergy coal generator. The
government has consistently stated its position that interim retirement dates would be part of a responsible, staged plan that supports system security
and reliability.
(4) Australian
Energy Market Operator's modelling and analysis are documents of AEMO,
not the minister.
some notice of his interesting question, given the announcement this morning.
On behalf of the Minister for Energy, I provide the following answer.
(1) The state
government is confident that its plan for a sensible, staged transition away
from coal will support a reliable and affordable electricity system.
(2) Not applicable.
(3) (a)–(b)
The state government remains committed to the closure date of 1 October 2029
for the final Synergy coal generator. The
government has consistently stated its position that interim retirement dates would be part of a responsible, staged plan that supports system security
and reliability.
(4) Australian
Energy Market Operator's modelling and analysis are documents of AEMO,
not the minister.
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