❓ WA Parliament QoN regarding the inspection of utility-scale solar farms and battery energy storage systems. Reveals the number of inspectors, inspections conducted, defect notices issued, and enforcement outcomes.
AnsweredQoN 731Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) How many Inspectors (Electricity) are available to inspect utility-scale solar farms in Western Australia? (2) How many inspections of utility-scale solar farm electrical installations (including battery energy storage systems) have been conducted since 1 January 2021, by year and region? (3) How many Inspector’s Orders or defect notices were issued (by category)? (4) What enforcement outcomes followed? (5) Will the Minister table the inspection program criteria for these sites?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
14 October 2025
Responded by
Minister for Commerce
Response time
6 days
(1) There are currently 66 persons designated as Inspectors (Electricity) in Western Australia. Most inspectors are employed and are under the direction of five network operators (Western Power, Horizon Power, BHP, Rio Tinto, Zenith Energy) as to the inspections performed under their Inspection System Plan. The Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety – Building and Energy Division (Building and Energy) also employs inspectors.
(2)
(a) Building and Energy:
· 2024 – three inspections (Pilbara and Mid-West Region)
· 2025 – one inspection (Rottnest Island)
(b) Western Power:
· 2024 – five inspections (Perth and surrounding regions)
· 2025 – 10 inspections (Perth and surrounding regions)
(c) Rio Tinto:
· one inspection on a utility-scale solar farm and one inspection on a network energy storage system (Pilbara region).
(d) Zenith Energy:
· one inspection on a utility-scale solar farm and one inspection on a network energy storage system (Perth region).
(e) Horizon Power:
· 2021 - one inspection on a utility-scale solar farm and one inspection on a network energy storage system (Kimberley region)
· 2022 - one inspection on a utility-scale solar farm and one inspection on a network energy storage system (Midwest)
· 2022 - one inspection on a network energy storage system (Kimberley)
· 2022 - one inspection on a utility-scale solar farm and one inspection on a network energy storage system (Esperance)
· 2023 - one inspection on a utility-scale solar farm and one inspection on a network energy storage system (Midwest)
· 2024 - one inspection on a utility-scale solar farm and one inspection on a network energy storage system (Kimberley)
· 2025 - one inspection on a utility-scale solar farm (Pilbara)
(3) Eight orders have been issued by Building and Energy following inspection of utility-scale solar farms. Inspectors for network operators have not issued orders as any defects found have been dealt with during construction and commissioning/operation.
(4) Orders issued required the identified defects to be rectified.
(5) No. All inspections were undertaken to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Electricity (Licensing) Regulations 1991 (WA).
(2)
(a) Building and Energy:
· 2024 – three inspections (Pilbara and Mid-West Region)
· 2025 – one inspection (Rottnest Island)
(b) Western Power:
· 2024 – five inspections (Perth and surrounding regions)
· 2025 – 10 inspections (Perth and surrounding regions)
(c) Rio Tinto:
· one inspection on a utility-scale solar farm and one inspection on a network energy storage system (Pilbara region).
(d) Zenith Energy:
· one inspection on a utility-scale solar farm and one inspection on a network energy storage system (Perth region).
(e) Horizon Power:
· 2021 - one inspection on a utility-scale solar farm and one inspection on a network energy storage system (Kimberley region)
· 2022 - one inspection on a utility-scale solar farm and one inspection on a network energy storage system (Midwest)
· 2022 - one inspection on a network energy storage system (Kimberley)
· 2022 - one inspection on a utility-scale solar farm and one inspection on a network energy storage system (Esperance)
· 2023 - one inspection on a utility-scale solar farm and one inspection on a network energy storage system (Midwest)
· 2024 - one inspection on a utility-scale solar farm and one inspection on a network energy storage system (Kimberley)
· 2025 - one inspection on a utility-scale solar farm (Pilbara)
(3) Eight orders have been issued by Building and Energy following inspection of utility-scale solar farms. Inspectors for network operators have not issued orders as any defects found have been dealt with during construction and commissioning/operation.
(4) Orders issued required the identified defects to be rectified.
(5) No. All inspections were undertaken to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Electricity (Licensing) Regulations 1991 (WA).
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