Dr. Steve Thomas questions the Minister for Energy regarding the $500 electricity offset for small businesses during the COVID lockdown, seeking details on eligibility, cost, and distribution between metropolitan and regional areas. The Minister provides some data but cites time constraints for complete answers.

AnsweredQoN 49Legislative Council
Asked
6 May 2021
Portfolio
Energy

QuestionView source ↗

CORONAVIRUS — SMALL BUSINESS — ELECTRICITY
TARIFF CREDIT
49. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the minister representing the
Minister for Energy:
I
refer to the state government's $500 electricity offsets put in place
in response to the last COVID lockdown in February.
(1) How many businesses are
eligible to receive the $500 electricity credit?
(2) How many businesses have
received the $500 electricity credit since the February lockdown?
(3) What is the expected total cost
of the credit, assuming it is paid to all eligible businesses?
(4) What is the total value of the
credits paid so far?
(5) Of this, what is the total
value paid to metropolitan-based businesses?
(6) Of this total, what is the
total value paid to regional-based businesses?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for the
question. The following information has been provided by the Minister for
Energy.
(1) The whole information cannot be provided in the
time frame given. However, I can say that 82 518 Synergy and Horizon
Power small businesses and charities are eligible to receive the credit.
An additional number of businesses
and charities not directly billed by Synergy or Horizon Power, such as those in
embedded networks, will be able to apply to receive payment through the
Department of Finance. Those applications will open in mid-June 2021.
(2) A total of 82
518 eligible Synergy and Horizon Power customers received the $500 small
business and charity offset payment.
(3) This information is not able to
be provided in the time frame.
(4) The total value of the credits
paid so far is $41 259 000.
(5)–(6) It is not possible to provide this exact
information in the time provided; however, figures can be provided for the
south west interconnected grid and the remainder of the state. The SWIS extends
from the Perth metropolitan area to Kalbarri in the north, Bremer Bay in the
south and Kalgoorlie in the east, with an offshoot to the east of Merredin. The
amount of $38 469 000 has been paid to eligible small businesses and charities in the SWIS and $2 790 000 has been paid
to eligible small businesses and charities outside the SWIS.

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