❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses Western Power's supply standards, particularly 32-amp circuit breakers in rural areas, and seeks to ensure equitable access to renewable energy and electrification for regional residents compared to metropolitan areas. The government acknowledges the issue and is assessing alternative options for managing rural supply allocation.
AnsweredQoN 757Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
WESTERN POWER — SOLAR INSTALLATIONS —
REGIONS
757. Hon JAMES HAYWARD to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Energy:
I refer to the 32-amp
circuit-breakers being installed in some locations in WA.
(1) In what year
was the Western Power standard supply definition first implemented for rural
connections?
(2) Considering that minister has stated that a 32-amp
supply is sufficient for modern households, will the minister consider applying
the same standard in metropolitan areas to encourage energy efficiency and
reduce demand?
(3) If no to (2), why not?
(4) Is the minister committed to ensuring that Western
Australians in regional areas have the same opportunities as those
living in metropolitan areas in terms of investing in renewable energy,
electric vehicles and 100 per cent electrified households?
REGIONS
757. Hon JAMES HAYWARD to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Energy:
I refer to the 32-amp
circuit-breakers being installed in some locations in WA.
(1) In what year
was the Western Power standard supply definition first implemented for rural
connections?
(2) Considering that minister has stated that a 32-amp
supply is sufficient for modern households, will the minister consider applying
the same standard in metropolitan areas to encourage energy efficiency and
reduce demand?
(3) If no to (2), why not?
(4) Is the minister committed to ensuring that Western
Australians in regional areas have the same opportunities as those
living in metropolitan areas in terms of investing in renewable energy,
electric vehicles and 100 per cent electrified households?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice
of the question. The following information has been provided to me by the
Minister for Energy.
(1) The State
Energy Commission of Western Australia adopted the standard supply definition
in the 1950s and 1960s when many rural towns had their own generation and
networks were provided by local governments, with the state government
providing the country town assistance scheme to subsidise the higher cost of
electricity supply.
(2) The
government is committed to providing customers with a supply allocation they
value and are willing to pay for. The supply allocation reflects the
capabilities of the installed electricity infrastructure. Both rural and
metropolitan customers are receiving the supply allocation they purchased.
However, the minister has asked
Western Power to assess the opportunities, risks and consequences of
alternative options to managing rural supply allocation and will provide an
update on the findings by the end of the year.
(3) Not applicable.
(4) Yes.
of the question. The following information has been provided to me by the
Minister for Energy.
(1) The State
Energy Commission of Western Australia adopted the standard supply definition
in the 1950s and 1960s when many rural towns had their own generation and
networks were provided by local governments, with the state government
providing the country town assistance scheme to subsidise the higher cost of
electricity supply.
(2) The
government is committed to providing customers with a supply allocation they
value and are willing to pay for. The supply allocation reflects the
capabilities of the installed electricity infrastructure. Both rural and
metropolitan customers are receiving the supply allocation they purchased.
However, the minister has asked
Western Power to assess the opportunities, risks and consequences of
alternative options to managing rural supply allocation and will provide an
update on the findings by the end of the year.
(3) Not applicable.
(4) Yes.
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