Mr Rundle questions the WA Government on wind farm development in the Roe electorate, including funding, subsidies, future plans, transmission line upgrades, and regulations regarding turbine placement. The government provides details on funding for manufacturing, clarifies subsidy status, outlines future projects, and references relevant regulations and planning documents.

AnsweredQoN 1378Legislative Assembly
Asked
10 September 2024
Portfolio
Energy

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to the discussion and planning of wind farms in the electorate of Roe, and I ask: (a) Is the WA Government setting aside funding for the manufacture and installation of wind turbines in WA; (b) Is the WA Government subsidising any wind turbines or intending to subsidise future wind turbines in WA; (c) If so, how much is the WA Government subsidising each turbine and where are these turbines located; (d) What is the future plan for any subsidisation of wind farms for WA; (e) Can you please provide any information regarding a plan of future wind farms and their locations; (f) Can you provide any information regarding upgrades or plans to build new transmission lines particularly within the Southwest Interconnected System; and (g) Can you provide the current regulations in relation to the placement of wind turbines pursuant to existing dwellings and farm boundaries?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
17 October 2024
Responded by
Minister for Energy
Response time
8 days
a)      The State Government has set aside $8 million to support the manufacturing of wind turbine componentry and installation in Western Australia, which will be delivered in collaboration with the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre.
b)      No.
c)      Not applicable.
d)      Not applicable.
e)      Synergy has committed to developing the King Rocks Wind farm in the Eastern Wheatbelt and Warradarge Stage 2 in the Mid West. Other wind farm developments underway in the South West Interconnected System (SWIS) are led by private proponents.
f)       In November 2023, the State Government announced  the development of Clean Energy Link – North, to upgrade and expand the existing network connecting the Mid West and Perth.  In addition, the SWIS Transmission Planning Update , released in May 2024, outlines potential new transmission investments (Clean Energy Link projects) across the SWIS. Western Power received $324 million in the 2024 State Budget to progress planning, design, procurement, and other key requirements to underpin the delivery of these projects.
g)      Noise emissions from renewable energy facilities, including wind turbines, are required to meet the standards prescribed under the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997, with the Western Australian Planning Commission’s Position Statement on Renewable Energy Facilities (March 2020) suggesting a minimum distance between noise-sensitive land uses (e.g. existing dwellings) of 1,500 metres.

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