❓ WA Premier Carpenter responds to a question about adopting a 15-20% renewable energy target by 2020, stating the government is still analysing the feasibility due to WA's unique energy profile and potential economic impacts. He highlights WA's existing low emissions from gas and the need for a realistic, achievable plan.
AnsweredQoN 82Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
GREENHOUSE AND ENERGY TASKFORCE REPORT - RENEWABLE ENERGY TARGET
I refer to the Greenhouse and Energy Taskforce report entitled “A Cleaner Energy Future”. (1) Does the Premier agree with the recommendation to set a 15 to 20 per cent mandatory renewable energy target for the south west interconnected system by the year 2020? (2) If yes to (1), does the government now support the need for legislation to provide this renewable energy target? (3) If the government does not support the recommendation, why not? Mr A.J. CARPENTER
I refer to the Greenhouse and Energy Taskforce report entitled “A Cleaner Energy Future”. (1) Does the Premier agree with the recommendation to set a 15 to 20 per cent mandatory renewable energy target for the south west interconnected system by the year 2020? (2) If yes to (1), does the government now support the need for legislation to provide this renewable energy target? (3) If the government does not support the recommendation, why not? Mr A.J. CARPENTER
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question. (1)-(3) This is a very interesting area for us in Western Australia. The brief answer to those questions is that we are still analysing the ability of the state to realise the target that was recommended by that task force at any time until the date the member mentioned. We have to look at the energy profile for stationary energy generation in Western Australia and project forward to see what the likely requirements will be by 2020 and whether it will be possible, with all the best will in the world, to meet a target of 15 to 20 per cent renewable energy. It would be very, very difficult. On the current judgements, it might mean shutting down some of the current base-load power generation, which would have a major impact on the state’s economy. There is still a lot of analysis to do before a firm decision can be made on whether we could meet that target. It is very interesting to compare Western Australia’s energy profile with that of other states and, rather than necessarily talking only about renewable energy, to talk about low or no emissions. About 60 per cent of Western Australia’s stationary energy generation capacity comes from gas, which has a very, very low emission regime. In effect, we are light years ahead of the other states’ emissions profiles, with the possible exception of Tasmania, which uses a lot of hydro generation. We are mostly concerned about the impact on the environment of carbon emissions. We already have a very good energy profile as far as emissions are concerned. We are still analysing the recommendation of the Greenhouse and Energy Taskforce to see what would be an appropriate short-term target for renewable energy for Western Australia. We have gone from one per cent of our stationary energy in the south west of Western Australia being provided by renewable energy in the year 2001 to about six per cent now. It is a considerable improvement. It is a big leap to go from six per cent to 15 to 20 per cent in a relatively short time. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Have you seriously looked at wave power? There are five wave power stations around the world now. Is that in the mix? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : You have one down at Fremantle port. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes, and there is a pilot program going on now that has the spin-off benefit of providing desalinated water. One of the most interesting prospects that has emerged for the WA energy generation capacity for the future is geothermal energy and hot rock energy, which would have to be classified as renewable energy with low or zero carbon emissions. We also need to take into account in Western Australia the work that has gone on in the past 20 or 30 years with carbon capture. It was not recognised as carbon capture when it was done in the first place. I am talking about the blue gum plantations that were started in the mid-1980s, or perhaps even earlier. Now there are prospects for mallee oil plantations and the carbon capture significance of that sort of economic development. We must be very careful in Western Australia not to simply mirror the programs that are being conducted in other states, because we have our own unique dynamics in energy generation in Western Australia. We have to take account of all those different factors. Dr S.C. Thomas : You have to have a plan or a target for where you are going to go. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I agree, but there is no point setting a target that is unachievable and trying to con people. At one stage recently the Liberal Party came out and said that it would have 20 per cent renewables by 2015, or whatever. There was absolutely no substance to that claim whatsoever and no detail of how that was going to be achieved or whether it was achievable. There is a difference between being in government and being in opposition, and certainly in being in a minor party that can promise the world knowing that it will never have to deliver. We have to take these issues seriously; we do and we will.
(1) Does the Premier agree with the recommendation to set a 15 to 20 per cent mandatory renewable energy target for the south west interconnected system by the year 2020? (2) If yes to (1), does the government now support the need for legislation to provide this renewable energy target? (3) If the government does not support the recommendation, why not? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(3) This is a very interesting area for us in Western Australia. The brief answer to those questions is that we are still analysing the ability of the state to realise the target that was recommended by that task force at any time until the date the member mentioned. We have to look at the energy profile for stationary energy generation in Western Australia and project forward to see what the likely requirements will be by 2020 and whether it will be possible, with all the best will in the world, to meet a target of 15 to 20 per cent renewable energy. It would be very, very difficult. On the current judgements, it might mean shutting down some of the current base-load power generation, which would have a major impact on the state’s economy. There is still a lot of analysis to do before a firm decision can be made on whether we could meet that target. It is very interesting to compare Western Australia’s energy profile with that of other states and, rather than necessarily talking only about renewable energy, to talk about low or no emissions. About 60 per cent of Western Australia’s stationary energy generation capacity comes from gas, which has a very, very low emission regime. In effect, we are light years ahead of the other states’ emissions profiles, with the possible exception of Tasmania, which uses a lot of hydro generation. We are mostly concerned about the impact on the environment of carbon emissions. We already have a very good energy profile as far as emissions are concerned. We are still analysing the recommendation of the Greenhouse and Energy Taskforce to see what would be an appropriate short-term target for renewable energy for Western Australia. We have gone from one per cent of our stationary energy in the south west of Western Australia being provided by renewable energy in the year 2001 to about six per cent now. It is a considerable improvement. It is a big leap to go from six per cent to 15 to 20 per cent in a relatively short time. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Have you seriously looked at wave power? There are five wave power stations around the world now. Is that in the mix? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : You have one down at Fremantle port. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes, and there is a pilot program going on now that has the spin-off benefit of providing desalinated water. One of the most interesting prospects that has emerged for the WA energy generation capacity for the future is geothermal energy and hot rock energy, which would have to be classified as renewable energy with low or zero carbon emissions. We also need to take into account in Western Australia the work that has gone on in the past 20 or 30 years with carbon capture. It was not recognised as carbon capture when it was done in the first place. I am talking about the blue gum plantations that were started in the mid-1980s, or perhaps even earlier. Now there are prospects for mallee oil plantations and the carbon capture significance of that sort of economic development. We must be very careful in Western Australia not to simply mirror the programs that are being conducted in other states, because we have our own unique dynamics in energy generation in Western Australia. We have to take account of all those different factors. Dr S.C. Thomas : You have to have a plan or a target for where you are going to go. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I agree, but there is no point setting a target that is unachievable and trying to con people. At one stage recently the Liberal Party came out and said that it would have 20 per cent renewables by 2015, or whatever. There was absolutely no substance to that claim whatsoever and no detail of how that was going to be achieved or whether it was achievable. There is a difference between being in government and being in opposition, and certainly in being in a minor party that can promise the world knowing that it will never have to deliver. We have to take these issues seriously; we do and we will.
(2) If yes to (1), does the government now support the need for legislation to provide this renewable energy target? (3) If the government does not support the recommendation, why not? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(3) This is a very interesting area for us in Western Australia. The brief answer to those questions is that we are still analysing the ability of the state to realise the target that was recommended by that task force at any time until the date the member mentioned. We have to look at the energy profile for stationary energy generation in Western Australia and project forward to see what the likely requirements will be by 2020 and whether it will be possible, with all the best will in the world, to meet a target of 15 to 20 per cent renewable energy. It would be very, very difficult. On the current judgements, it might mean shutting down some of the current base-load power generation, which would have a major impact on the state’s economy. There is still a lot of analysis to do before a firm decision can be made on whether we could meet that target. It is very interesting to compare Western Australia’s energy profile with that of other states and, rather than necessarily talking only about renewable energy, to talk about low or no emissions. About 60 per cent of Western Australia’s stationary energy generation capacity comes from gas, which has a very, very low emission regime. In effect, we are light years ahead of the other states’ emissions profiles, with the possible exception of Tasmania, which uses a lot of hydro generation. We are mostly concerned about the impact on the environment of carbon emissions. We already have a very good energy profile as far as emissions are concerned. We are still analysing the recommendation of the Greenhouse and Energy Taskforce to see what would be an appropriate short-term target for renewable energy for Western Australia. We have gone from one per cent of our stationary energy in the south west of Western Australia being provided by renewable energy in the year 2001 to about six per cent now. It is a considerable improvement. It is a big leap to go from six per cent to 15 to 20 per cent in a relatively short time. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Have you seriously looked at wave power? There are five wave power stations around the world now. Is that in the mix? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : You have one down at Fremantle port. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes, and there is a pilot program going on now that has the spin-off benefit of providing desalinated water. One of the most interesting prospects that has emerged for the WA energy generation capacity for the future is geothermal energy and hot rock energy, which would have to be classified as renewable energy with low or zero carbon emissions. We also need to take into account in Western Australia the work that has gone on in the past 20 or 30 years with carbon capture. It was not recognised as carbon capture when it was done in the first place. I am talking about the blue gum plantations that were started in the mid-1980s, or perhaps even earlier. Now there are prospects for mallee oil plantations and the carbon capture significance of that sort of economic development. We must be very careful in Western Australia not to simply mirror the programs that are being conducted in other states, because we have our own unique dynamics in energy generation in Western Australia. We have to take account of all those different factors. Dr S.C. Thomas : You have to have a plan or a target for where you are going to go. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I agree, but there is no point setting a target that is unachievable and trying to con people. At one stage recently the Liberal Party came out and said that it would have 20 per cent renewables by 2015, or whatever. There was absolutely no substance to that claim whatsoever and no detail of how that was going to be achieved or whether it was achievable. There is a difference between being in government and being in opposition, and certainly in being in a minor party that can promise the world knowing that it will never have to deliver. We have to take these issues seriously; we do and we will.
(3) If the government does not support the recommendation, why not? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(3) This is a very interesting area for us in Western Australia. The brief answer to those questions is that we are still analysing the ability of the state to realise the target that was recommended by that task force at any time until the date the member mentioned. We have to look at the energy profile for stationary energy generation in Western Australia and project forward to see what the likely requirements will be by 2020 and whether it will be possible, with all the best will in the world, to meet a target of 15 to 20 per cent renewable energy. It would be very, very difficult. On the current judgements, it might mean shutting down some of the current base-load power generation, which would have a major impact on the state’s economy. There is still a lot of analysis to do before a firm decision can be made on whether we could meet that target. It is very interesting to compare Western Australia’s energy profile with that of other states and, rather than necessarily talking only about renewable energy, to talk about low or no emissions. About 60 per cent of Western Australia’s stationary energy generation capacity comes from gas, which has a very, very low emission regime. In effect, we are light years ahead of the other states’ emissions profiles, with the possible exception of Tasmania, which uses a lot of hydro generation. We are mostly concerned about the impact on the environment of carbon emissions. We already have a very good energy profile as far as emissions are concerned. We are still analysing the recommendation of the Greenhouse and Energy Taskforce to see what would be an appropriate short-term target for renewable energy for Western Australia. We have gone from one per cent of our stationary energy in the south west of Western Australia being provided by renewable energy in the year 2001 to about six per cent now. It is a considerable improvement. It is a big leap to go from six per cent to 15 to 20 per cent in a relatively short time. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Have you seriously looked at wave power? There are five wave power stations around the world now. Is that in the mix? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : You have one down at Fremantle port. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes, and there is a pilot program going on now that has the spin-off benefit of providing desalinated water. One of the most interesting prospects that has emerged for the WA energy generation capacity for the future is geothermal energy and hot rock energy, which would have to be classified as renewable energy with low or zero carbon emissions. We also need to take into account in Western Australia the work that has gone on in the past 20 or 30 years with carbon capture. It was not recognised as carbon capture when it was done in the first place. I am talking about the blue gum plantations that were started in the mid-1980s, or perhaps even earlier. Now there are prospects for mallee oil plantations and the carbon capture significance of that sort of economic development. We must be very careful in Western Australia not to simply mirror the programs that are being conducted in other states, because we have our own unique dynamics in energy generation in Western Australia. We have to take account of all those different factors. Dr S.C. Thomas : You have to have a plan or a target for where you are going to go. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I agree, but there is no point setting a target that is unachievable and trying to con people. At one stage recently the Liberal Party came out and said that it would have 20 per cent renewables by 2015, or whatever. There was absolutely no substance to that claim whatsoever and no detail of how that was going to be achieved or whether it was achievable. There is a difference between being in government and being in opposition, and certainly in being in a minor party that can promise the world knowing that it will never have to deliver. We have to take these issues seriously; we do and we will.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(3) This is a very interesting area for us in Western Australia. The brief answer to those questions is that we are still analysing the ability of the state to realise the target that was recommended by that task force at any time until the date the member mentioned. We have to look at the energy profile for stationary energy generation in Western Australia and project forward to see what the likely requirements will be by 2020 and whether it will be possible, with all the best will in the world, to meet a target of 15 to 20 per cent renewable energy. It would be very, very difficult. On the current judgements, it might mean shutting down some of the current base-load power generation, which would have a major impact on the state’s economy. There is still a lot of analysis to do before a firm decision can be made on whether we could meet that target. It is very interesting to compare Western Australia’s energy profile with that of other states and, rather than necessarily talking only about renewable energy, to talk about low or no emissions. About 60 per cent of Western Australia’s stationary energy generation capacity comes from gas, which has a very, very low emission regime. In effect, we are light years ahead of the other states’ emissions profiles, with the possible exception of Tasmania, which uses a lot of hydro generation. We are mostly concerned about the impact on the environment of carbon emissions. We already have a very good energy profile as far as emissions are concerned. We are still analysing the recommendation of the Greenhouse and Energy Taskforce to see what would be an appropriate short-term target for renewable energy for Western Australia. We have gone from one per cent of our stationary energy in the south west of Western Australia being provided by renewable energy in the year 2001 to about six per cent now. It is a considerable improvement. It is a big leap to go from six per cent to 15 to 20 per cent in a relatively short time. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Have you seriously looked at wave power? There are five wave power stations around the world now. Is that in the mix? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : You have one down at Fremantle port. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes, and there is a pilot program going on now that has the spin-off benefit of providing desalinated water. One of the most interesting prospects that has emerged for the WA energy generation capacity for the future is geothermal energy and hot rock energy, which would have to be classified as renewable energy with low or zero carbon emissions. We also need to take into account in Western Australia the work that has gone on in the past 20 or 30 years with carbon capture. It was not recognised as carbon capture when it was done in the first place. I am talking about the blue gum plantations that were started in the mid-1980s, or perhaps even earlier. Now there are prospects for mallee oil plantations and the carbon capture significance of that sort of economic development. We must be very careful in Western Australia not to simply mirror the programs that are being conducted in other states, because we have our own unique dynamics in energy generation in Western Australia. We have to take account of all those different factors. Dr S.C. Thomas : You have to have a plan or a target for where you are going to go. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I agree, but there is no point setting a target that is unachievable and trying to con people. At one stage recently the Liberal Party came out and said that it would have 20 per cent renewables by 2015, or whatever. There was absolutely no substance to that claim whatsoever and no detail of how that was going to be achieved or whether it was achievable. There is a difference between being in government and being in opposition, and certainly in being in a minor party that can promise the world knowing that it will never have to deliver. We have to take these issues seriously; we do and we will.
I thank the member for the question. (1)-(3) This is a very interesting area for us in Western Australia. The brief answer to those questions is that we are still analysing the ability of the state to realise the target that was recommended by that task force at any time until the date the member mentioned. We have to look at the energy profile for stationary energy generation in Western Australia and project forward to see what the likely requirements will be by 2020 and whether it will be possible, with all the best will in the world, to meet a target of 15 to 20 per cent renewable energy. It would be very, very difficult. On the current judgements, it might mean shutting down some of the current base-load power generation, which would have a major impact on the state’s economy. There is still a lot of analysis to do before a firm decision can be made on whether we could meet that target. It is very interesting to compare Western Australia’s energy profile with that of other states and, rather than necessarily talking only about renewable energy, to talk about low or no emissions. About 60 per cent of Western Australia’s stationary energy generation capacity comes from gas, which has a very, very low emission regime. In effect, we are light years ahead of the other states’ emissions profiles, with the possible exception of Tasmania, which uses a lot of hydro generation. We are mostly concerned about the impact on the environment of carbon emissions. We already have a very good energy profile as far as emissions are concerned. We are still analysing the recommendation of the Greenhouse and Energy Taskforce to see what would be an appropriate short-term target for renewable energy for Western Australia. We have gone from one per cent of our stationary energy in the south west of Western Australia being provided by renewable energy in the year 2001 to about six per cent now. It is a considerable improvement. It is a big leap to go from six per cent to 15 to 20 per cent in a relatively short time. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Have you seriously looked at wave power? There are five wave power stations around the world now. Is that in the mix? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : You have one down at Fremantle port. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes, and there is a pilot program going on now that has the spin-off benefit of providing desalinated water. One of the most interesting prospects that has emerged for the WA energy generation capacity for the future is geothermal energy and hot rock energy, which would have to be classified as renewable energy with low or zero carbon emissions. We also need to take into account in Western Australia the work that has gone on in the past 20 or 30 years with carbon capture. It was not recognised as carbon capture when it was done in the first place. I am talking about the blue gum plantations that were started in the mid-1980s, or perhaps even earlier. Now there are prospects for mallee oil plantations and the carbon capture significance of that sort of economic development. We must be very careful in Western Australia not to simply mirror the programs that are being conducted in other states, because we have our own unique dynamics in energy generation in Western Australia. We have to take account of all those different factors. Dr S.C. Thomas : You have to have a plan or a target for where you are going to go. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I agree, but there is no point setting a target that is unachievable and trying to con people. At one stage recently the Liberal Party came out and said that it would have 20 per cent renewables by 2015, or whatever. There was absolutely no substance to that claim whatsoever and no detail of how that was going to be achieved or whether it was achievable. There is a difference between being in government and being in opposition, and certainly in being in a minor party that can promise the world knowing that it will never have to deliver. We have to take these issues seriously; we do and we will.
(1)-(3) This is a very interesting area for us in Western Australia. The brief answer to those questions is that we are still analysing the ability of the state to realise the target that was recommended by that task force at any time until the date the member mentioned. We have to look at the energy profile for stationary energy generation in Western Australia and project forward to see what the likely requirements will be by 2020 and whether it will be possible, with all the best will in the world, to meet a target of 15 to 20 per cent renewable energy. It would be very, very difficult. On the current judgements, it might mean shutting down some of the current base-load power generation, which would have a major impact on the state’s economy. There is still a lot of analysis to do before a firm decision can be made on whether we could meet that target. It is very interesting to compare Western Australia’s energy profile with that of other states and, rather than necessarily talking only about renewable energy, to talk about low or no emissions. About 60 per cent of Western Australia’s stationary energy generation capacity comes from gas, which has a very, very low emission regime. In effect, we are light years ahead of the other states’ emissions profiles, with the possible exception of Tasmania, which uses a lot of hydro generation. We are mostly concerned about the impact on the environment of carbon emissions. We already have a very good energy profile as far as emissions are concerned. We are still analysing the recommendation of the Greenhouse and Energy Taskforce to see what would be an appropriate short-term target for renewable energy for Western Australia. We have gone from one per cent of our stationary energy in the south west of Western Australia being provided by renewable energy in the year 2001 to about six per cent now. It is a considerable improvement. It is a big leap to go from six per cent to 15 to 20 per cent in a relatively short time. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Have you seriously looked at wave power? There are five wave power stations around the world now. Is that in the mix? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : You have one down at Fremantle port. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes, and there is a pilot program going on now that has the spin-off benefit of providing desalinated water. One of the most interesting prospects that has emerged for the WA energy generation capacity for the future is geothermal energy and hot rock energy, which would have to be classified as renewable energy with low or zero carbon emissions. We also need to take into account in Western Australia the work that has gone on in the past 20 or 30 years with carbon capture. It was not recognised as carbon capture when it was done in the first place. I am talking about the blue gum plantations that were started in the mid-1980s, or perhaps even earlier. Now there are prospects for mallee oil plantations and the carbon capture significance of that sort of economic development. We must be very careful in Western Australia not to simply mirror the programs that are being conducted in other states, because we have our own unique dynamics in energy generation in Western Australia. We have to take account of all those different factors. Dr S.C. Thomas : You have to have a plan or a target for where you are going to go. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I agree, but there is no point setting a target that is unachievable and trying to con people. At one stage recently the Liberal Party came out and said that it would have 20 per cent renewables by 2015, or whatever. There was absolutely no substance to that claim whatsoever and no detail of how that was going to be achieved or whether it was achievable. There is a difference between being in government and being in opposition, and certainly in being in a minor party that can promise the world knowing that it will never have to deliver. We have to take these issues seriously; we do and we will.
We are mostly concerned about the impact on the environment of carbon emissions. We already have a very good energy profile as far as emissions are concerned. We are still analysing the recommendation of the Greenhouse and Energy Taskforce to see what would be an appropriate short-term target for renewable energy for Western Australia. We have gone from one per cent of our stationary energy in the south west of Western Australia being provided by renewable energy in the year 2001 to about six per cent now. It is a considerable improvement. It is a big leap to go from six per cent to 15 to 20 per cent in a relatively short time.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : You have one down at Fremantle port. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes, and there is a pilot program going on now that has the spin-off benefit of providing desalinated water. One of the most interesting prospects that has emerged for the WA energy generation capacity for the future is geothermal energy and hot rock energy, which would have to be classified as renewable energy with low or zero carbon emissions. We also need to take into account in Western Australia the work that has gone on in the past 20 or 30 years with carbon capture. It was not recognised as carbon capture when it was done in the first place. I am talking about the blue gum plantations that were started in the mid-1980s, or perhaps even earlier. Now there are prospects for mallee oil plantations and the carbon capture significance of that sort of economic development. We must be very careful in Western Australia not to simply mirror the programs that are being conducted in other states, because we have our own unique dynamics in energy generation in Western Australia. We have to take account of all those different factors. Dr S.C. Thomas : You have to have a plan or a target for where you are going to go. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I agree, but there is no point setting a target that is unachievable and trying to con people. At one stage recently the Liberal Party came out and said that it would have 20 per cent renewables by 2015, or whatever. There was absolutely no substance to that claim whatsoever and no detail of how that was going to be achieved or whether it was achievable. There is a difference between being in government and being in opposition, and certainly in being in a minor party that can promise the world knowing that it will never have to deliver. We have to take these issues seriously; we do and we will.
Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : You have one down at Fremantle port. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes, and there is a pilot program going on now that has the spin-off benefit of providing desalinated water. One of the most interesting prospects that has emerged for the WA energy generation capacity for the future is geothermal energy and hot rock energy, which would have to be classified as renewable energy with low or zero carbon emissions. We also need to take into account in Western Australia the work that has gone on in the past 20 or 30 years with carbon capture. It was not recognised as carbon capture when it was done in the first place. I am talking about the blue gum plantations that were started in the mid-1980s, or perhaps even earlier. Now there are prospects for mallee oil plantations and the carbon capture significance of that sort of economic development. We must be very careful in Western Australia not to simply mirror the programs that are being conducted in other states, because we have our own unique dynamics in energy generation in Western Australia. We have to take account of all those different factors. Dr S.C. Thomas : You have to have a plan or a target for where you are going to go. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I agree, but there is no point setting a target that is unachievable and trying to con people. At one stage recently the Liberal Party came out and said that it would have 20 per cent renewables by 2015, or whatever. There was absolutely no substance to that claim whatsoever and no detail of how that was going to be achieved or whether it was achievable. There is a difference between being in government and being in opposition, and certainly in being in a minor party that can promise the world knowing that it will never have to deliver. We have to take these issues seriously; we do and we will.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes, and there is a pilot program going on now that has the spin-off benefit of providing desalinated water. One of the most interesting prospects that has emerged for the WA energy generation capacity for the future is geothermal energy and hot rock energy, which would have to be classified as renewable energy with low or zero carbon emissions. We also need to take into account in Western Australia the work that has gone on in the past 20 or 30 years with carbon capture. It was not recognised as carbon capture when it was done in the first place. I am talking about the blue gum plantations that were started in the mid-1980s, or perhaps even earlier. Now there are prospects for mallee oil plantations and the carbon capture significance of that sort of economic development. We must be very careful in Western Australia not to simply mirror the programs that are being conducted in other states, because we have our own unique dynamics in energy generation in Western Australia. We have to take account of all those different factors. Dr S.C. Thomas : You have to have a plan or a target for where you are going to go. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I agree, but there is no point setting a target that is unachievable and trying to con people. At one stage recently the Liberal Party came out and said that it would have 20 per cent renewables by 2015, or whatever. There was absolutely no substance to that claim whatsoever and no detail of how that was going to be achieved or whether it was achievable. There is a difference between being in government and being in opposition, and certainly in being in a minor party that can promise the world knowing that it will never have to deliver. We have to take these issues seriously; we do and we will.
One of the most interesting prospects that has emerged for the WA energy generation capacity for the future is geothermal energy and hot rock energy, which would have to be classified as renewable energy with low or zero carbon emissions. We also need to take into account in Western Australia the work that has gone on in the past 20 or 30 years with carbon capture. It was not recognised as carbon capture when it was done in the first place. I am talking about the blue gum plantations that were started in the mid-1980s, or perhaps even earlier. Now there are prospects for mallee oil plantations and the carbon capture significance of that sort of economic development. We must be very careful in Western Australia not to simply mirror the programs that are being conducted in other states, because we have our own unique dynamics in energy generation in Western Australia. We have to take account of all those different factors. Dr S.C. Thomas : You have to have a plan or a target for where you are going to go. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I agree, but there is no point setting a target that is unachievable and trying to con people. At one stage recently the Liberal Party came out and said that it would have 20 per cent renewables by 2015, or whatever. There was absolutely no substance to that claim whatsoever and no detail of how that was going to be achieved or whether it was achievable. There is a difference between being in government and being in opposition, and certainly in being in a minor party that can promise the world knowing that it will never have to deliver. We have to take these issues seriously; we do and we will.
Dr S.C. Thomas : You have to have a plan or a target for where you are going to go. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I agree, but there is no point setting a target that is unachievable and trying to con people. At one stage recently the Liberal Party came out and said that it would have 20 per cent renewables by 2015, or whatever. There was absolutely no substance to that claim whatsoever and no detail of how that was going to be achieved or whether it was achievable. There is a difference between being in government and being in opposition, and certainly in being in a minor party that can promise the world knowing that it will never have to deliver. We have to take these issues seriously; we do and we will.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I agree, but there is no point setting a target that is unachievable and trying to con people. At one stage recently the Liberal Party came out and said that it would have 20 per cent renewables by 2015, or whatever. There was absolutely no substance to that claim whatsoever and no detail of how that was going to be achieved or whether it was achievable. There is a difference between being in government and being in opposition, and certainly in being in a minor party that can promise the world knowing that it will never have to deliver. We have to take these issues seriously; we do and we will.
(1) Does the Premier agree with the recommendation to set a 15 to 20 per cent mandatory renewable energy target for the south west interconnected system by the year 2020? (2) If yes to (1), does the government now support the need for legislation to provide this renewable energy target? (3) If the government does not support the recommendation, why not? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(3) This is a very interesting area for us in Western Australia. The brief answer to those questions is that we are still analysing the ability of the state to realise the target that was recommended by that task force at any time until the date the member mentioned. We have to look at the energy profile for stationary energy generation in Western Australia and project forward to see what the likely requirements will be by 2020 and whether it will be possible, with all the best will in the world, to meet a target of 15 to 20 per cent renewable energy. It would be very, very difficult. On the current judgements, it might mean shutting down some of the current base-load power generation, which would have a major impact on the state’s economy. There is still a lot of analysis to do before a firm decision can be made on whether we could meet that target. It is very interesting to compare Western Australia’s energy profile with that of other states and, rather than necessarily talking only about renewable energy, to talk about low or no emissions. About 60 per cent of Western Australia’s stationary energy generation capacity comes from gas, which has a very, very low emission regime. In effect, we are light years ahead of the other states’ emissions profiles, with the possible exception of Tasmania, which uses a lot of hydro generation. We are mostly concerned about the impact on the environment of carbon emissions. We already have a very good energy profile as far as emissions are concerned. We are still analysing the recommendation of the Greenhouse and Energy Taskforce to see what would be an appropriate short-term target for renewable energy for Western Australia. We have gone from one per cent of our stationary energy in the south west of Western Australia being provided by renewable energy in the year 2001 to about six per cent now. It is a considerable improvement. It is a big leap to go from six per cent to 15 to 20 per cent in a relatively short time. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Have you seriously looked at wave power? There are five wave power stations around the world now. Is that in the mix? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : You have one down at Fremantle port. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes, and there is a pilot program going on now that has the spin-off benefit of providing desalinated water. One of the most interesting prospects that has emerged for the WA energy generation capacity for the future is geothermal energy and hot rock energy, which would have to be classified as renewable energy with low or zero carbon emissions. We also need to take into account in Western Australia the work that has gone on in the past 20 or 30 years with carbon capture. It was not recognised as carbon capture when it was done in the first place. I am talking about the blue gum plantations that were started in the mid-1980s, or perhaps even earlier. Now there are prospects for mallee oil plantations and the carbon capture significance of that sort of economic development. We must be very careful in Western Australia not to simply mirror the programs that are being conducted in other states, because we have our own unique dynamics in energy generation in Western Australia. We have to take account of all those different factors. Dr S.C. Thomas : You have to have a plan or a target for where you are going to go. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I agree, but there is no point setting a target that is unachievable and trying to con people. At one stage recently the Liberal Party came out and said that it would have 20 per cent renewables by 2015, or whatever. There was absolutely no substance to that claim whatsoever and no detail of how that was going to be achieved or whether it was achievable. There is a difference between being in government and being in opposition, and certainly in being in a minor party that can promise the world knowing that it will never have to deliver. We have to take these issues seriously; we do and we will.
(2) If yes to (1), does the government now support the need for legislation to provide this renewable energy target? (3) If the government does not support the recommendation, why not? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(3) This is a very interesting area for us in Western Australia. The brief answer to those questions is that we are still analysing the ability of the state to realise the target that was recommended by that task force at any time until the date the member mentioned. We have to look at the energy profile for stationary energy generation in Western Australia and project forward to see what the likely requirements will be by 2020 and whether it will be possible, with all the best will in the world, to meet a target of 15 to 20 per cent renewable energy. It would be very, very difficult. On the current judgements, it might mean shutting down some of the current base-load power generation, which would have a major impact on the state’s economy. There is still a lot of analysis to do before a firm decision can be made on whether we could meet that target. It is very interesting to compare Western Australia’s energy profile with that of other states and, rather than necessarily talking only about renewable energy, to talk about low or no emissions. About 60 per cent of Western Australia’s stationary energy generation capacity comes from gas, which has a very, very low emission regime. In effect, we are light years ahead of the other states’ emissions profiles, with the possible exception of Tasmania, which uses a lot of hydro generation. We are mostly concerned about the impact on the environment of carbon emissions. We already have a very good energy profile as far as emissions are concerned. We are still analysing the recommendation of the Greenhouse and Energy Taskforce to see what would be an appropriate short-term target for renewable energy for Western Australia. We have gone from one per cent of our stationary energy in the south west of Western Australia being provided by renewable energy in the year 2001 to about six per cent now. It is a considerable improvement. It is a big leap to go from six per cent to 15 to 20 per cent in a relatively short time. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Have you seriously looked at wave power? There are five wave power stations around the world now. Is that in the mix? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : You have one down at Fremantle port. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes, and there is a pilot program going on now that has the spin-off benefit of providing desalinated water. One of the most interesting prospects that has emerged for the WA energy generation capacity for the future is geothermal energy and hot rock energy, which would have to be classified as renewable energy with low or zero carbon emissions. We also need to take into account in Western Australia the work that has gone on in the past 20 or 30 years with carbon capture. It was not recognised as carbon capture when it was done in the first place. I am talking about the blue gum plantations that were started in the mid-1980s, or perhaps even earlier. Now there are prospects for mallee oil plantations and the carbon capture significance of that sort of economic development. We must be very careful in Western Australia not to simply mirror the programs that are being conducted in other states, because we have our own unique dynamics in energy generation in Western Australia. We have to take account of all those different factors. Dr S.C. Thomas : You have to have a plan or a target for where you are going to go. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I agree, but there is no point setting a target that is unachievable and trying to con people. At one stage recently the Liberal Party came out and said that it would have 20 per cent renewables by 2015, or whatever. There was absolutely no substance to that claim whatsoever and no detail of how that was going to be achieved or whether it was achievable. There is a difference between being in government and being in opposition, and certainly in being in a minor party that can promise the world knowing that it will never have to deliver. We have to take these issues seriously; we do and we will.
(3) If the government does not support the recommendation, why not? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(3) This is a very interesting area for us in Western Australia. The brief answer to those questions is that we are still analysing the ability of the state to realise the target that was recommended by that task force at any time until the date the member mentioned. We have to look at the energy profile for stationary energy generation in Western Australia and project forward to see what the likely requirements will be by 2020 and whether it will be possible, with all the best will in the world, to meet a target of 15 to 20 per cent renewable energy. It would be very, very difficult. On the current judgements, it might mean shutting down some of the current base-load power generation, which would have a major impact on the state’s economy. There is still a lot of analysis to do before a firm decision can be made on whether we could meet that target. It is very interesting to compare Western Australia’s energy profile with that of other states and, rather than necessarily talking only about renewable energy, to talk about low or no emissions. About 60 per cent of Western Australia’s stationary energy generation capacity comes from gas, which has a very, very low emission regime. In effect, we are light years ahead of the other states’ emissions profiles, with the possible exception of Tasmania, which uses a lot of hydro generation. We are mostly concerned about the impact on the environment of carbon emissions. We already have a very good energy profile as far as emissions are concerned. We are still analysing the recommendation of the Greenhouse and Energy Taskforce to see what would be an appropriate short-term target for renewable energy for Western Australia. We have gone from one per cent of our stationary energy in the south west of Western Australia being provided by renewable energy in the year 2001 to about six per cent now. It is a considerable improvement. It is a big leap to go from six per cent to 15 to 20 per cent in a relatively short time. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Have you seriously looked at wave power? There are five wave power stations around the world now. Is that in the mix? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : You have one down at Fremantle port. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes, and there is a pilot program going on now that has the spin-off benefit of providing desalinated water. One of the most interesting prospects that has emerged for the WA energy generation capacity for the future is geothermal energy and hot rock energy, which would have to be classified as renewable energy with low or zero carbon emissions. We also need to take into account in Western Australia the work that has gone on in the past 20 or 30 years with carbon capture. It was not recognised as carbon capture when it was done in the first place. I am talking about the blue gum plantations that were started in the mid-1980s, or perhaps even earlier. Now there are prospects for mallee oil plantations and the carbon capture significance of that sort of economic development. We must be very careful in Western Australia not to simply mirror the programs that are being conducted in other states, because we have our own unique dynamics in energy generation in Western Australia. We have to take account of all those different factors. Dr S.C. Thomas : You have to have a plan or a target for where you are going to go. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I agree, but there is no point setting a target that is unachievable and trying to con people. At one stage recently the Liberal Party came out and said that it would have 20 per cent renewables by 2015, or whatever. There was absolutely no substance to that claim whatsoever and no detail of how that was going to be achieved or whether it was achievable. There is a difference between being in government and being in opposition, and certainly in being in a minor party that can promise the world knowing that it will never have to deliver. We have to take these issues seriously; we do and we will.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(3) This is a very interesting area for us in Western Australia. The brief answer to those questions is that we are still analysing the ability of the state to realise the target that was recommended by that task force at any time until the date the member mentioned. We have to look at the energy profile for stationary energy generation in Western Australia and project forward to see what the likely requirements will be by 2020 and whether it will be possible, with all the best will in the world, to meet a target of 15 to 20 per cent renewable energy. It would be very, very difficult. On the current judgements, it might mean shutting down some of the current base-load power generation, which would have a major impact on the state’s economy. There is still a lot of analysis to do before a firm decision can be made on whether we could meet that target. It is very interesting to compare Western Australia’s energy profile with that of other states and, rather than necessarily talking only about renewable energy, to talk about low or no emissions. About 60 per cent of Western Australia’s stationary energy generation capacity comes from gas, which has a very, very low emission regime. In effect, we are light years ahead of the other states’ emissions profiles, with the possible exception of Tasmania, which uses a lot of hydro generation. We are mostly concerned about the impact on the environment of carbon emissions. We already have a very good energy profile as far as emissions are concerned. We are still analysing the recommendation of the Greenhouse and Energy Taskforce to see what would be an appropriate short-term target for renewable energy for Western Australia. We have gone from one per cent of our stationary energy in the south west of Western Australia being provided by renewable energy in the year 2001 to about six per cent now. It is a considerable improvement. It is a big leap to go from six per cent to 15 to 20 per cent in a relatively short time. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Have you seriously looked at wave power? There are five wave power stations around the world now. Is that in the mix? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : You have one down at Fremantle port. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes, and there is a pilot program going on now that has the spin-off benefit of providing desalinated water. One of the most interesting prospects that has emerged for the WA energy generation capacity for the future is geothermal energy and hot rock energy, which would have to be classified as renewable energy with low or zero carbon emissions. We also need to take into account in Western Australia the work that has gone on in the past 20 or 30 years with carbon capture. It was not recognised as carbon capture when it was done in the first place. I am talking about the blue gum plantations that were started in the mid-1980s, or perhaps even earlier. Now there are prospects for mallee oil plantations and the carbon capture significance of that sort of economic development. We must be very careful in Western Australia not to simply mirror the programs that are being conducted in other states, because we have our own unique dynamics in energy generation in Western Australia. We have to take account of all those different factors. Dr S.C. Thomas : You have to have a plan or a target for where you are going to go. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I agree, but there is no point setting a target that is unachievable and trying to con people. At one stage recently the Liberal Party came out and said that it would have 20 per cent renewables by 2015, or whatever. There was absolutely no substance to that claim whatsoever and no detail of how that was going to be achieved or whether it was achievable. There is a difference between being in government and being in opposition, and certainly in being in a minor party that can promise the world knowing that it will never have to deliver. We have to take these issues seriously; we do and we will.
I thank the member for the question. (1)-(3) This is a very interesting area for us in Western Australia. The brief answer to those questions is that we are still analysing the ability of the state to realise the target that was recommended by that task force at any time until the date the member mentioned. We have to look at the energy profile for stationary energy generation in Western Australia and project forward to see what the likely requirements will be by 2020 and whether it will be possible, with all the best will in the world, to meet a target of 15 to 20 per cent renewable energy. It would be very, very difficult. On the current judgements, it might mean shutting down some of the current base-load power generation, which would have a major impact on the state’s economy. There is still a lot of analysis to do before a firm decision can be made on whether we could meet that target. It is very interesting to compare Western Australia’s energy profile with that of other states and, rather than necessarily talking only about renewable energy, to talk about low or no emissions. About 60 per cent of Western Australia’s stationary energy generation capacity comes from gas, which has a very, very low emission regime. In effect, we are light years ahead of the other states’ emissions profiles, with the possible exception of Tasmania, which uses a lot of hydro generation. We are mostly concerned about the impact on the environment of carbon emissions. We already have a very good energy profile as far as emissions are concerned. We are still analysing the recommendation of the Greenhouse and Energy Taskforce to see what would be an appropriate short-term target for renewable energy for Western Australia. We have gone from one per cent of our stationary energy in the south west of Western Australia being provided by renewable energy in the year 2001 to about six per cent now. It is a considerable improvement. It is a big leap to go from six per cent to 15 to 20 per cent in a relatively short time. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Have you seriously looked at wave power? There are five wave power stations around the world now. Is that in the mix? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : You have one down at Fremantle port. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes, and there is a pilot program going on now that has the spin-off benefit of providing desalinated water. One of the most interesting prospects that has emerged for the WA energy generation capacity for the future is geothermal energy and hot rock energy, which would have to be classified as renewable energy with low or zero carbon emissions. We also need to take into account in Western Australia the work that has gone on in the past 20 or 30 years with carbon capture. It was not recognised as carbon capture when it was done in the first place. I am talking about the blue gum plantations that were started in the mid-1980s, or perhaps even earlier. Now there are prospects for mallee oil plantations and the carbon capture significance of that sort of economic development. We must be very careful in Western Australia not to simply mirror the programs that are being conducted in other states, because we have our own unique dynamics in energy generation in Western Australia. We have to take account of all those different factors. Dr S.C. Thomas : You have to have a plan or a target for where you are going to go. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I agree, but there is no point setting a target that is unachievable and trying to con people. At one stage recently the Liberal Party came out and said that it would have 20 per cent renewables by 2015, or whatever. There was absolutely no substance to that claim whatsoever and no detail of how that was going to be achieved or whether it was achievable. There is a difference between being in government and being in opposition, and certainly in being in a minor party that can promise the world knowing that it will never have to deliver. We have to take these issues seriously; we do and we will.
(1)-(3) This is a very interesting area for us in Western Australia. The brief answer to those questions is that we are still analysing the ability of the state to realise the target that was recommended by that task force at any time until the date the member mentioned. We have to look at the energy profile for stationary energy generation in Western Australia and project forward to see what the likely requirements will be by 2020 and whether it will be possible, with all the best will in the world, to meet a target of 15 to 20 per cent renewable energy. It would be very, very difficult. On the current judgements, it might mean shutting down some of the current base-load power generation, which would have a major impact on the state’s economy. There is still a lot of analysis to do before a firm decision can be made on whether we could meet that target. It is very interesting to compare Western Australia’s energy profile with that of other states and, rather than necessarily talking only about renewable energy, to talk about low or no emissions. About 60 per cent of Western Australia’s stationary energy generation capacity comes from gas, which has a very, very low emission regime. In effect, we are light years ahead of the other states’ emissions profiles, with the possible exception of Tasmania, which uses a lot of hydro generation. We are mostly concerned about the impact on the environment of carbon emissions. We already have a very good energy profile as far as emissions are concerned. We are still analysing the recommendation of the Greenhouse and Energy Taskforce to see what would be an appropriate short-term target for renewable energy for Western Australia. We have gone from one per cent of our stationary energy in the south west of Western Australia being provided by renewable energy in the year 2001 to about six per cent now. It is a considerable improvement. It is a big leap to go from six per cent to 15 to 20 per cent in a relatively short time. Mr M.W. Trenorden : Have you seriously looked at wave power? There are five wave power stations around the world now. Is that in the mix? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : You have one down at Fremantle port. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes, and there is a pilot program going on now that has the spin-off benefit of providing desalinated water. One of the most interesting prospects that has emerged for the WA energy generation capacity for the future is geothermal energy and hot rock energy, which would have to be classified as renewable energy with low or zero carbon emissions. We also need to take into account in Western Australia the work that has gone on in the past 20 or 30 years with carbon capture. It was not recognised as carbon capture when it was done in the first place. I am talking about the blue gum plantations that were started in the mid-1980s, or perhaps even earlier. Now there are prospects for mallee oil plantations and the carbon capture significance of that sort of economic development. We must be very careful in Western Australia not to simply mirror the programs that are being conducted in other states, because we have our own unique dynamics in energy generation in Western Australia. We have to take account of all those different factors. Dr S.C. Thomas : You have to have a plan or a target for where you are going to go. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I agree, but there is no point setting a target that is unachievable and trying to con people. At one stage recently the Liberal Party came out and said that it would have 20 per cent renewables by 2015, or whatever. There was absolutely no substance to that claim whatsoever and no detail of how that was going to be achieved or whether it was achievable. There is a difference between being in government and being in opposition, and certainly in being in a minor party that can promise the world knowing that it will never have to deliver. We have to take these issues seriously; we do and we will.
We are mostly concerned about the impact on the environment of carbon emissions. We already have a very good energy profile as far as emissions are concerned. We are still analysing the recommendation of the Greenhouse and Energy Taskforce to see what would be an appropriate short-term target for renewable energy for Western Australia. We have gone from one per cent of our stationary energy in the south west of Western Australia being provided by renewable energy in the year 2001 to about six per cent now. It is a considerable improvement. It is a big leap to go from six per cent to 15 to 20 per cent in a relatively short time.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : You have one down at Fremantle port. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes, and there is a pilot program going on now that has the spin-off benefit of providing desalinated water. One of the most interesting prospects that has emerged for the WA energy generation capacity for the future is geothermal energy and hot rock energy, which would have to be classified as renewable energy with low or zero carbon emissions. We also need to take into account in Western Australia the work that has gone on in the past 20 or 30 years with carbon capture. It was not recognised as carbon capture when it was done in the first place. I am talking about the blue gum plantations that were started in the mid-1980s, or perhaps even earlier. Now there are prospects for mallee oil plantations and the carbon capture significance of that sort of economic development. We must be very careful in Western Australia not to simply mirror the programs that are being conducted in other states, because we have our own unique dynamics in energy generation in Western Australia. We have to take account of all those different factors. Dr S.C. Thomas : You have to have a plan or a target for where you are going to go. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I agree, but there is no point setting a target that is unachievable and trying to con people. At one stage recently the Liberal Party came out and said that it would have 20 per cent renewables by 2015, or whatever. There was absolutely no substance to that claim whatsoever and no detail of how that was going to be achieved or whether it was achievable. There is a difference between being in government and being in opposition, and certainly in being in a minor party that can promise the world knowing that it will never have to deliver. We have to take these issues seriously; we do and we will.
Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : You have one down at Fremantle port. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes, and there is a pilot program going on now that has the spin-off benefit of providing desalinated water. One of the most interesting prospects that has emerged for the WA energy generation capacity for the future is geothermal energy and hot rock energy, which would have to be classified as renewable energy with low or zero carbon emissions. We also need to take into account in Western Australia the work that has gone on in the past 20 or 30 years with carbon capture. It was not recognised as carbon capture when it was done in the first place. I am talking about the blue gum plantations that were started in the mid-1980s, or perhaps even earlier. Now there are prospects for mallee oil plantations and the carbon capture significance of that sort of economic development. We must be very careful in Western Australia not to simply mirror the programs that are being conducted in other states, because we have our own unique dynamics in energy generation in Western Australia. We have to take account of all those different factors. Dr S.C. Thomas : You have to have a plan or a target for where you are going to go. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I agree, but there is no point setting a target that is unachievable and trying to con people. At one stage recently the Liberal Party came out and said that it would have 20 per cent renewables by 2015, or whatever. There was absolutely no substance to that claim whatsoever and no detail of how that was going to be achieved or whether it was achievable. There is a difference between being in government and being in opposition, and certainly in being in a minor party that can promise the world knowing that it will never have to deliver. We have to take these issues seriously; we do and we will.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes, and there is a pilot program going on now that has the spin-off benefit of providing desalinated water. One of the most interesting prospects that has emerged for the WA energy generation capacity for the future is geothermal energy and hot rock energy, which would have to be classified as renewable energy with low or zero carbon emissions. We also need to take into account in Western Australia the work that has gone on in the past 20 or 30 years with carbon capture. It was not recognised as carbon capture when it was done in the first place. I am talking about the blue gum plantations that were started in the mid-1980s, or perhaps even earlier. Now there are prospects for mallee oil plantations and the carbon capture significance of that sort of economic development. We must be very careful in Western Australia not to simply mirror the programs that are being conducted in other states, because we have our own unique dynamics in energy generation in Western Australia. We have to take account of all those different factors. Dr S.C. Thomas : You have to have a plan or a target for where you are going to go. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I agree, but there is no point setting a target that is unachievable and trying to con people. At one stage recently the Liberal Party came out and said that it would have 20 per cent renewables by 2015, or whatever. There was absolutely no substance to that claim whatsoever and no detail of how that was going to be achieved or whether it was achievable. There is a difference between being in government and being in opposition, and certainly in being in a minor party that can promise the world knowing that it will never have to deliver. We have to take these issues seriously; we do and we will.
One of the most interesting prospects that has emerged for the WA energy generation capacity for the future is geothermal energy and hot rock energy, which would have to be classified as renewable energy with low or zero carbon emissions. We also need to take into account in Western Australia the work that has gone on in the past 20 or 30 years with carbon capture. It was not recognised as carbon capture when it was done in the first place. I am talking about the blue gum plantations that were started in the mid-1980s, or perhaps even earlier. Now there are prospects for mallee oil plantations and the carbon capture significance of that sort of economic development. We must be very careful in Western Australia not to simply mirror the programs that are being conducted in other states, because we have our own unique dynamics in energy generation in Western Australia. We have to take account of all those different factors. Dr S.C. Thomas : You have to have a plan or a target for where you are going to go. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I agree, but there is no point setting a target that is unachievable and trying to con people. At one stage recently the Liberal Party came out and said that it would have 20 per cent renewables by 2015, or whatever. There was absolutely no substance to that claim whatsoever and no detail of how that was going to be achieved or whether it was achievable. There is a difference between being in government and being in opposition, and certainly in being in a minor party that can promise the world knowing that it will never have to deliver. We have to take these issues seriously; we do and we will.
Dr S.C. Thomas : You have to have a plan or a target for where you are going to go. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I agree, but there is no point setting a target that is unachievable and trying to con people. At one stage recently the Liberal Party came out and said that it would have 20 per cent renewables by 2015, or whatever. There was absolutely no substance to that claim whatsoever and no detail of how that was going to be achieved or whether it was achievable. There is a difference between being in government and being in opposition, and certainly in being in a minor party that can promise the world knowing that it will never have to deliver. We have to take these issues seriously; we do and we will.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I agree, but there is no point setting a target that is unachievable and trying to con people. At one stage recently the Liberal Party came out and said that it would have 20 per cent renewables by 2015, or whatever. There was absolutely no substance to that claim whatsoever and no detail of how that was going to be achieved or whether it was achievable. There is a difference between being in government and being in opposition, and certainly in being in a minor party that can promise the world knowing that it will never have to deliver. We have to take these issues seriously; we do and we will.
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