Energy transition plan
341. Hon Dr Steve Thomas to the Leader of the House representing the Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation:
It should be a Thursday! I refer to the Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation's media statement of yesterday, 16 June, proudly telling us that the government will:
… assess the future energy needs of industry to remain globally competitive …
…
Process will inform government decision making over coming months in relation to transmission infrastructure and energy policy settings
(1) Why did the government not complete this work prior to the release of its transition plan on 14 June 2022?
(2) Is this lack of preparation the reason that the government's transition plan is currently unable to deliver the energy that homes and businesses will need in coming years at a price they can afford?
(3) If the research tells it there will be insufficient energy in the future, will the government delay the closure of coal generation and/or add additional gas generation to the system to provide the power needed to keep the lights on?
(4) At what point will the minister admit that his energy transition plan has run out of puff and will have to change?
(5) What on earth has Energy Policy WA been doing for the last three years, and given the lack of progress, will the government replace it?
Hon Stephen Dawson replied:
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. I provide this answer on behalf of the Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation.
(1) On 14 June 2022, the state government announced it was committed to closing the state-owned coal generation fleet by 2030 and replace it with wind and energy storage capacity and gas through Synergy and the Water Corporation. Since then, the state government has worked closely with industry to understand energy supply needs, which has informed the—
Hon Dr Steve Thomas interjected.
Hon Stephen Dawson: Shoosh. Goodness gracious!
The President: Order!
Hon Stephen Dawson: Since then, the state government has worked closely with industry to understand energy supply needs, which has informed the South West Interconnected System SWIS Demand Assessment, published in May 2023, and the SWIS Transmission Planning Update, May 2024. The announcement on 16 June 2025 is a new targeted consultation specifically with industry peak bodies to assess how we position the Western Australian economy to compete on a global scale as a clean energy powerhouse.
(2)–(5) Not applicable.
