❓ Mr. Zempilas questions Western Power and Horizon Power's safety obligations and oversight of utility-scale solar farms and BESS connections. The Minister's response outlines existing regulations and inspection processes, but declines to table safety circulars.
AnsweredQoN 732Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) What obligations do Western Power and Horizon Power have for safety at the point of connection to utility-scale solar farms/battery energy storage systems (BESS)? (2) How many audits or inspections of connection assets at solar farms have been undertaken since 2021? (3) How many defects were identified (by type)? (4) What corrective actions or directions were issued? (5) Will the Minister table any safety circulars sent to network licensees and generators concerning solar farms/BESS fire risks?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
14 October 2025
Responded by
Minister for Commerce
Response time
6 days
(1) Battery energy storage systems (BESS) that are connected to a Network Operator’s network via distribution works fall under the Electricity (Network Safety) Regulations 2015, which require Western Power and Horizon Power to maintain a safety management system in compliance with AS 5577-2013.
Utility-scale solar farms and BESS that are not part of the distribution works, and are considered consumers’ electrical installations, must be inspected by Western Power and Horizon Power in accordance with their respective Inspection System Plans.
(2) Network operators are not required to report to the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety - Building and Energy on audits and inspections conducted for connection assets at solar farms.
(3-4) Not applicable.
(5) No. All guidance is available online.
Utility-scale solar farms and BESS that are not part of the distribution works, and are considered consumers’ electrical installations, must be inspected by Western Power and Horizon Power in accordance with their respective Inspection System Plans.
(2) Network operators are not required to report to the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety - Building and Energy on audits and inspections conducted for connection assets at solar farms.
(3-4) Not applicable.
(5) No. All guidance is available online.
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