❓ A parliamentary question seeks information on Western Power's actions regarding contracted electricity capacity for private businesses, specifically regarding proposed and actual reductions. The response indicates sufficient reserve capacity and frames capacity adjustments as customer-initiated.
AnsweredQoN 141Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the contracted capacity for the supply of electricity to major private businesses by Western Power and, for the years 2023-24 and 2024-25 to date, I ask: (a) how many businesses have been contacted by Western Power to discuss a reduction in their contracted capacity; (b) in reference to (a), for those businesses that have received contact from Western Power in relation to having their contracted capacity reduced, what was their original contracted capacity and by how much were they proposed to be reduced; (c) how many businesses have had their contracted capacity reduced by Western Power; (d) in reference to (c), for those businesses that have had their contracted capacity reduced, what was their original contracted capacity and by how much were they reduced; (e) why has Western Power been proposing reductions in contracted capacity to private businesses; (f) is there sufficient reserve capacity in the South West Interconnected System, and is a lack of reserve the reason that Western Power is trying to claw back contracted capacity; (g) if no to (f), why not; and (h) why is Western Power is trying to claw back contracted capacity?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
24 June 2025
Responded by
Leader of the House representing the Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation
Response time
9 days
(a) Western Power provides large customers, like industrial and major energy users, with access to electricity through contracted maximum demand arrangements.
Customers can request to increase or decrease their demand, typically in response to economic cycles or operational changes. This service is a customer-initiated process.
(b)-(e) Not applicable.
(f)-(g) There is sufficient reserve capacity in the South West Interconnected System) for the forthcoming summers, as identified in the Australian Energy Market Operator’s Electricity Statement of Opportunities.
(h) See answer to (a).
Customers can request to increase or decrease their demand, typically in response to economic cycles or operational changes. This service is a customer-initiated process.
(b)-(e) Not applicable.
(f)-(g) There is sufficient reserve capacity in the South West Interconnected System) for the forthcoming summers, as identified in the Australian Energy Market Operator’s Electricity Statement of Opportunities.
(h) See answer to (a).
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