❓ Hon Dee Margetts questions the compatibility of prioritising coal-fired power with greenhouse gas reduction strategies and the Electricity Reform Task Force's (ERTF) mandate. The Minister assures compatibility through open discussion and confirms the Pinjar-Cataby transmission line will proceed to improve reliability and facilitate renewable energy.
AnsweredQoN 575Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
With regard to the background paper of the Electricity Reform Task Force, released in November 2001, the Minister for Energy announced that while there will be no restrictions as to fuel type in the public power procurement process, the successful tender must offer the best commercial option to Western Power, and reference was made in the paper to making available the option for a combined 360MW of generation plant to be in commercial operation prior to the summer of 2005/2006 to ensure an opportunity is available for an coal fired plant -
(1) Could the Minister advise how this announcement is compatible with the announcement that the Cabinet Standing Committee on Environment Policy is expected to develop a strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by early 2002 and the terms of reference of the Electricity Reform Task Force where due consideration is meant to be given to the role that sustainable/renewable energy is to have to provide good opportunity for gross greenhouse gas emissions to be reduced?
(2) Could the Minister advise whether the Pinjar-Cataby transmission line project will be postponed until the outcomes of the Electricity Reform Task Force are known?
(1) Could the Minister advise how this announcement is compatible with the announcement that the Cabinet Standing Committee on Environment Policy is expected to develop a strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by early 2002 and the terms of reference of the Electricity Reform Task Force where due consideration is meant to be given to the role that sustainable/renewable energy is to have to provide good opportunity for gross greenhouse gas emissions to be reduced?
(2) Could the Minister advise whether the Pinjar-Cataby transmission line project will be postponed until the outcomes of the Electricity Reform Task Force are known?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
14 May 2002
Responded by
Minister for Housing and Works representing the Minister for Energy
Response time
33 days
The Electricity Reform Task Force does have a wide brief to provide recommendations to the Government in respect of restructure of Western Power and reforms of the electricity supply industry, with a principal objective being lower prices for electricity in this State long term. That Task Force is conducting public submission processes and is addressing all the issues raised; including the facilitation of entry into the market of electricity based on renewable sources. The Government is to receive the final recommendations from the Task Force in August 2002 and will consider, amongst other things, the impact those recommendations are likely to have on the balance between renewable and non-renewable sources of electricity. Open discussion and submission processes are assisting in interfacing the work of the Taskforce and a number of other Government initiatives in respect to sustainability in energy supply, including the consequences that possible future courses of action would have on Greenhouse emissions. This is the case with the work being undertaken by the Cabinet Steering Committee on Environment Policy and I expect that conclusions reached will therefore be compatible. (2) No. The ERTF is looking at ways to reduce prices and improve reliability. The proposed Pinjar-Cataby transmission line is necessary to ensure reliability and quality of the power supply to customers in the Mid-West region and, as such, is consistent with ERTF objectives. The proposed transmission line will facilitate a number of generation options, including sustainable generation options such as wind farms, which are currently restricted by the limitations of the power transfer capacity of the existing transmission system in the region. I have thoroughly examined the need for the transmission line and the possibility of routes other than Western Power's preferred 'western option'. I am satisfied that the 'western option' represents the best option for a 132 kV line, and therefore is to be proceeded with.
Open discussion and submission processes are assisting in interfacing the work of the Taskforce and a number of other Government initiatives in respect to sustainability in energy supply, including the consequences that possible future courses of action would have on Greenhouse emissions. This is the case with the work being undertaken by the Cabinet Steering Committee on Environment Policy and I expect that conclusions reached will therefore be compatible. (2) No. The ERTF is looking at ways to reduce prices and improve reliability. The proposed Pinjar-Cataby transmission line is necessary to ensure reliability and quality of the power supply to customers in the Mid-West region and, as such, is consistent with ERTF objectives. The proposed transmission line will facilitate a number of generation options, including sustainable generation options such as wind farms, which are currently restricted by the limitations of the power transfer capacity of the existing transmission system in the region. I have thoroughly examined the need for the transmission line and the possibility of routes other than Western Power's preferred 'western option'. I am satisfied that the 'western option' represents the best option for a 132 kV line, and therefore is to be proceeded with.
(2) No. The ERTF is looking at ways to reduce prices and improve reliability. The proposed Pinjar-Cataby transmission line is necessary to ensure reliability and quality of the power supply to customers in the Mid-West region and, as such, is consistent with ERTF objectives. The proposed transmission line will facilitate a number of generation options, including sustainable generation options such as wind farms, which are currently restricted by the limitations of the power transfer capacity of the existing transmission system in the region. I have thoroughly examined the need for the transmission line and the possibility of routes other than Western Power's preferred 'western option'. I am satisfied that the 'western option' represents the best option for a 132 kV line, and therefore is to be proceeded with.
I have thoroughly examined the need for the transmission line and the possibility of routes other than Western Power's preferred 'western option'. I am satisfied that the 'western option' represents the best option for a 132 kV line, and therefore is to be proceeded with.
Open discussion and submission processes are assisting in interfacing the work of the Taskforce and a number of other Government initiatives in respect to sustainability in energy supply, including the consequences that possible future courses of action would have on Greenhouse emissions. This is the case with the work being undertaken by the Cabinet Steering Committee on Environment Policy and I expect that conclusions reached will therefore be compatible. (2) No. The ERTF is looking at ways to reduce prices and improve reliability. The proposed Pinjar-Cataby transmission line is necessary to ensure reliability and quality of the power supply to customers in the Mid-West region and, as such, is consistent with ERTF objectives. The proposed transmission line will facilitate a number of generation options, including sustainable generation options such as wind farms, which are currently restricted by the limitations of the power transfer capacity of the existing transmission system in the region. I have thoroughly examined the need for the transmission line and the possibility of routes other than Western Power's preferred 'western option'. I am satisfied that the 'western option' represents the best option for a 132 kV line, and therefore is to be proceeded with.
(2) No. The ERTF is looking at ways to reduce prices and improve reliability. The proposed Pinjar-Cataby transmission line is necessary to ensure reliability and quality of the power supply to customers in the Mid-West region and, as such, is consistent with ERTF objectives. The proposed transmission line will facilitate a number of generation options, including sustainable generation options such as wind farms, which are currently restricted by the limitations of the power transfer capacity of the existing transmission system in the region. I have thoroughly examined the need for the transmission line and the possibility of routes other than Western Power's preferred 'western option'. I am satisfied that the 'western option' represents the best option for a 132 kV line, and therefore is to be proceeded with.
I have thoroughly examined the need for the transmission line and the possibility of routes other than Western Power's preferred 'western option'. I am satisfied that the 'western option' represents the best option for a 132 kV line, and therefore is to be proceeded with.
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