❓ A parliamentary question regarding the Kwinana desalination plant's power source, greenhouse gas offset commitments, and project financing. The Minister's response lacks specific details due to ongoing negotiations and claims the decision was made before their tenure.
AnsweredQoN 73Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer the minister to the government’s proposal to power the Kwinana desalination plant by renewable energy. (1) From where does the government intend to draw the 24 megawatts of electricity required to power the desalination plant? (2) Will the government honour its previous commitment to plant 8 000 hectares of trees to offset the greenhouse gas emissions; and, if so, when and where will this occur? (3) Did the government officially direct the Water Corporation to switch from a combination of gas-electricity power generation to a more politically palatable source of renewable energy? (4) How will the government finance this project and what will be the total cost to the government over the next 25 years? Mr J.C. KOBELKE
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(4) The decision by the Water Corporation was made before I accepted responsibility for the Water Corporation. I understand an agreement was reached but I cannot give the exact detail. Given that the desalination plant will be powered by renewable energy, the need to plant trees to offset greenhouse gas emissions is no longer an issue. The matter of the supply of renewable energy is under negotiation, and that means some commercial confidentiality applies. I hope those negotiations will be concluded in the near future. I am told they are looking very good and that the cost will be very reasonable. Since the decision was made to proceed with the proponent for the construction of the desalination plant, the capital cost has escalated. However, quite a large saving will be made in the actual running costs. It will be engineered in such a way as to use a lot less energy and, therefore, it will achieve ongoing savings every year. Mr P.D. Omodei : Is it a public-private partnership? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : No.
(1) From where does the government intend to draw the 24 megawatts of electricity required to power the desalination plant? (2) Will the government honour its previous commitment to plant 8 000 hectares of trees to offset the greenhouse gas emissions; and, if so, when and where will this occur? (3) Did the government officially direct the Water Corporation to switch from a combination of gas-electricity power generation to a more politically palatable source of renewable energy? (4) How will the government finance this project and what will be the total cost to the government over the next 25 years? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(4) The decision by the Water Corporation was made before I accepted responsibility for the Water Corporation. I understand an agreement was reached but I cannot give the exact detail. Given that the desalination plant will be powered by renewable energy, the need to plant trees to offset greenhouse gas emissions is no longer an issue. The matter of the supply of renewable energy is under negotiation, and that means some commercial confidentiality applies. I hope those negotiations will be concluded in the near future. I am told they are looking very good and that the cost will be very reasonable. Since the decision was made to proceed with the proponent for the construction of the desalination plant, the capital cost has escalated. However, quite a large saving will be made in the actual running costs. It will be engineered in such a way as to use a lot less energy and, therefore, it will achieve ongoing savings every year. Mr P.D. Omodei : Is it a public-private partnership? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : No.
(2) Will the government honour its previous commitment to plant 8 000 hectares of trees to offset the greenhouse gas emissions; and, if so, when and where will this occur? (3) Did the government officially direct the Water Corporation to switch from a combination of gas-electricity power generation to a more politically palatable source of renewable energy? (4) How will the government finance this project and what will be the total cost to the government over the next 25 years? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(4) The decision by the Water Corporation was made before I accepted responsibility for the Water Corporation. I understand an agreement was reached but I cannot give the exact detail. Given that the desalination plant will be powered by renewable energy, the need to plant trees to offset greenhouse gas emissions is no longer an issue. The matter of the supply of renewable energy is under negotiation, and that means some commercial confidentiality applies. I hope those negotiations will be concluded in the near future. I am told they are looking very good and that the cost will be very reasonable. Since the decision was made to proceed with the proponent for the construction of the desalination plant, the capital cost has escalated. However, quite a large saving will be made in the actual running costs. It will be engineered in such a way as to use a lot less energy and, therefore, it will achieve ongoing savings every year. Mr P.D. Omodei : Is it a public-private partnership? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : No.
(3) Did the government officially direct the Water Corporation to switch from a combination of gas-electricity power generation to a more politically palatable source of renewable energy? (4) How will the government finance this project and what will be the total cost to the government over the next 25 years? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(4) The decision by the Water Corporation was made before I accepted responsibility for the Water Corporation. I understand an agreement was reached but I cannot give the exact detail. Given that the desalination plant will be powered by renewable energy, the need to plant trees to offset greenhouse gas emissions is no longer an issue. The matter of the supply of renewable energy is under negotiation, and that means some commercial confidentiality applies. I hope those negotiations will be concluded in the near future. I am told they are looking very good and that the cost will be very reasonable. Since the decision was made to proceed with the proponent for the construction of the desalination plant, the capital cost has escalated. However, quite a large saving will be made in the actual running costs. It will be engineered in such a way as to use a lot less energy and, therefore, it will achieve ongoing savings every year. Mr P.D. Omodei : Is it a public-private partnership? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : No.
(4) How will the government finance this project and what will be the total cost to the government over the next 25 years? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(4) The decision by the Water Corporation was made before I accepted responsibility for the Water Corporation. I understand an agreement was reached but I cannot give the exact detail. Given that the desalination plant will be powered by renewable energy, the need to plant trees to offset greenhouse gas emissions is no longer an issue. The matter of the supply of renewable energy is under negotiation, and that means some commercial confidentiality applies. I hope those negotiations will be concluded in the near future. I am told they are looking very good and that the cost will be very reasonable. Since the decision was made to proceed with the proponent for the construction of the desalination plant, the capital cost has escalated. However, quite a large saving will be made in the actual running costs. It will be engineered in such a way as to use a lot less energy and, therefore, it will achieve ongoing savings every year. Mr P.D. Omodei : Is it a public-private partnership? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : No.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(4) The decision by the Water Corporation was made before I accepted responsibility for the Water Corporation. I understand an agreement was reached but I cannot give the exact detail. Given that the desalination plant will be powered by renewable energy, the need to plant trees to offset greenhouse gas emissions is no longer an issue. The matter of the supply of renewable energy is under negotiation, and that means some commercial confidentiality applies. I hope those negotiations will be concluded in the near future. I am told they are looking very good and that the cost will be very reasonable. Since the decision was made to proceed with the proponent for the construction of the desalination plant, the capital cost has escalated. However, quite a large saving will be made in the actual running costs. It will be engineered in such a way as to use a lot less energy and, therefore, it will achieve ongoing savings every year. Mr P.D. Omodei : Is it a public-private partnership? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : No.
(1)-(4) The decision by the Water Corporation was made before I accepted responsibility for the Water Corporation. I understand an agreement was reached but I cannot give the exact detail. Given that the desalination plant will be powered by renewable energy, the need to plant trees to offset greenhouse gas emissions is no longer an issue. The matter of the supply of renewable energy is under negotiation, and that means some commercial confidentiality applies. I hope those negotiations will be concluded in the near future. I am told they are looking very good and that the cost will be very reasonable. Since the decision was made to proceed with the proponent for the construction of the desalination plant, the capital cost has escalated. However, quite a large saving will be made in the actual running costs. It will be engineered in such a way as to use a lot less energy and, therefore, it will achieve ongoing savings every year. Mr P.D. Omodei : Is it a public-private partnership? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : No.
Mr P.D. Omodei : Is it a public-private partnership? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : No.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : No.
(1) From where does the government intend to draw the 24 megawatts of electricity required to power the desalination plant? (2) Will the government honour its previous commitment to plant 8 000 hectares of trees to offset the greenhouse gas emissions; and, if so, when and where will this occur? (3) Did the government officially direct the Water Corporation to switch from a combination of gas-electricity power generation to a more politically palatable source of renewable energy? (4) How will the government finance this project and what will be the total cost to the government over the next 25 years? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(4) The decision by the Water Corporation was made before I accepted responsibility for the Water Corporation. I understand an agreement was reached but I cannot give the exact detail. Given that the desalination plant will be powered by renewable energy, the need to plant trees to offset greenhouse gas emissions is no longer an issue. The matter of the supply of renewable energy is under negotiation, and that means some commercial confidentiality applies. I hope those negotiations will be concluded in the near future. I am told they are looking very good and that the cost will be very reasonable. Since the decision was made to proceed with the proponent for the construction of the desalination plant, the capital cost has escalated. However, quite a large saving will be made in the actual running costs. It will be engineered in such a way as to use a lot less energy and, therefore, it will achieve ongoing savings every year. Mr P.D. Omodei : Is it a public-private partnership? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : No.
(2) Will the government honour its previous commitment to plant 8 000 hectares of trees to offset the greenhouse gas emissions; and, if so, when and where will this occur? (3) Did the government officially direct the Water Corporation to switch from a combination of gas-electricity power generation to a more politically palatable source of renewable energy? (4) How will the government finance this project and what will be the total cost to the government over the next 25 years? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(4) The decision by the Water Corporation was made before I accepted responsibility for the Water Corporation. I understand an agreement was reached but I cannot give the exact detail. Given that the desalination plant will be powered by renewable energy, the need to plant trees to offset greenhouse gas emissions is no longer an issue. The matter of the supply of renewable energy is under negotiation, and that means some commercial confidentiality applies. I hope those negotiations will be concluded in the near future. I am told they are looking very good and that the cost will be very reasonable. Since the decision was made to proceed with the proponent for the construction of the desalination plant, the capital cost has escalated. However, quite a large saving will be made in the actual running costs. It will be engineered in such a way as to use a lot less energy and, therefore, it will achieve ongoing savings every year. Mr P.D. Omodei : Is it a public-private partnership? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : No.
(3) Did the government officially direct the Water Corporation to switch from a combination of gas-electricity power generation to a more politically palatable source of renewable energy? (4) How will the government finance this project and what will be the total cost to the government over the next 25 years? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(4) The decision by the Water Corporation was made before I accepted responsibility for the Water Corporation. I understand an agreement was reached but I cannot give the exact detail. Given that the desalination plant will be powered by renewable energy, the need to plant trees to offset greenhouse gas emissions is no longer an issue. The matter of the supply of renewable energy is under negotiation, and that means some commercial confidentiality applies. I hope those negotiations will be concluded in the near future. I am told they are looking very good and that the cost will be very reasonable. Since the decision was made to proceed with the proponent for the construction of the desalination plant, the capital cost has escalated. However, quite a large saving will be made in the actual running costs. It will be engineered in such a way as to use a lot less energy and, therefore, it will achieve ongoing savings every year. Mr P.D. Omodei : Is it a public-private partnership? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : No.
(4) How will the government finance this project and what will be the total cost to the government over the next 25 years? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(4) The decision by the Water Corporation was made before I accepted responsibility for the Water Corporation. I understand an agreement was reached but I cannot give the exact detail. Given that the desalination plant will be powered by renewable energy, the need to plant trees to offset greenhouse gas emissions is no longer an issue. The matter of the supply of renewable energy is under negotiation, and that means some commercial confidentiality applies. I hope those negotiations will be concluded in the near future. I am told they are looking very good and that the cost will be very reasonable. Since the decision was made to proceed with the proponent for the construction of the desalination plant, the capital cost has escalated. However, quite a large saving will be made in the actual running costs. It will be engineered in such a way as to use a lot less energy and, therefore, it will achieve ongoing savings every year. Mr P.D. Omodei : Is it a public-private partnership? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : No.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: (1)-(4) The decision by the Water Corporation was made before I accepted responsibility for the Water Corporation. I understand an agreement was reached but I cannot give the exact detail. Given that the desalination plant will be powered by renewable energy, the need to plant trees to offset greenhouse gas emissions is no longer an issue. The matter of the supply of renewable energy is under negotiation, and that means some commercial confidentiality applies. I hope those negotiations will be concluded in the near future. I am told they are looking very good and that the cost will be very reasonable. Since the decision was made to proceed with the proponent for the construction of the desalination plant, the capital cost has escalated. However, quite a large saving will be made in the actual running costs. It will be engineered in such a way as to use a lot less energy and, therefore, it will achieve ongoing savings every year. Mr P.D. Omodei : Is it a public-private partnership? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : No.
(1)-(4) The decision by the Water Corporation was made before I accepted responsibility for the Water Corporation. I understand an agreement was reached but I cannot give the exact detail. Given that the desalination plant will be powered by renewable energy, the need to plant trees to offset greenhouse gas emissions is no longer an issue. The matter of the supply of renewable energy is under negotiation, and that means some commercial confidentiality applies. I hope those negotiations will be concluded in the near future. I am told they are looking very good and that the cost will be very reasonable. Since the decision was made to proceed with the proponent for the construction of the desalination plant, the capital cost has escalated. However, quite a large saving will be made in the actual running costs. It will be engineered in such a way as to use a lot less energy and, therefore, it will achieve ongoing savings every year. Mr P.D. Omodei : Is it a public-private partnership? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : No.
Mr P.D. Omodei : Is it a public-private partnership? Mr J.C. KOBELKE : No.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : No.
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