Dr. Steve Thomas questions the Energy Minister regarding Synergy's purchase and use of imported Newcastle coal, focusing on blending ratios, usage, timelines, and costs. The Minister provides some details but cites commercial confidentiality for cost-related information.

AnsweredQoN 747Legislative Council
Asked
8 August 2023
Portfolio
Energy

QuestionView source ↗

SYNERGY — COAL IMPORTS
747. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Energy:
I refer to Synergy's
unprecedented purchase of 100 000 tonnes of coal transported from Newcastle to
Collie.
(1) What is the current blending
ratio of the imported Newcastle coal to local Collie coal?
(2) As at 8 August 2023, how much of the imported coal
has been blended to be used for electrical generation?
(3) As at 8 August 2023, how much of
the imported coal has been burnt for generation?
(4) What is the
anticipated date on which all imported Newcastle coal will have been burnt for
generation?
(5) What was the
total cost of getting the coal to Collie and blending it, and will the
government now admit it has wasted that money?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for some notice
of the question. The following answer has been provided to me by the Minister
for Energy.
(1) The blending
ratio of the coal routinely changes to meet operational requirements, with the
current ratio at 10 to one.
(2) It is 71 kilotonnes of coal.
(3) As above.
(4) Approximately December 2023.
(5) Synergy
operates in a regulated competitive market with other market competitors. Due
to this, the details of Synergy's contractual arrangements with coal
suppliers including costs associated with delivery are
commercial-in-confidence.

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