Coal-fired power stations
664. Hon Dr Steve Thomasto theLeader of the House representing the Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation:
It looks like my question without notice of which some notice has been given is to the Minister for Agriculture and Food representing the Leader of the House representing the Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation!
I refer to my question without notice 638 of 9 September 2025 on the Cook government's self-imposed timeframe for closure of all coal-fired power stations by October 2029.
(1) In relation to part (2) of the minister's answer, how much additional gas generation will be required to be added to the South West Interconnected System to achieve the government's self-imposed coal closure timeframe?
(2) Who or whom will provide the required additional gas-fired electrical generation, and what is the government's designated timeframe for its delivery?
(3) Will the minister table to the house "the modelled least-cost generation mix for the South West Interconnected System"?
(4) If no to (3),why not?
The President: Minister for Agriculture and Food; Fisheries; Forestry; Small Business; Mid West.
Hon Jackie Jarvis replied:
Thank you, President. I prefer not to use my full title; it makes me feel tired!
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. The following response has been provided by the Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation.
(1) The amount of gas generation capacity required in future years is dependent on several factors, including actual demand growth, new generation and storage entering the market, the type of new capacity entering, and the actual uptake of rooftop solar and household battery storage.
(2) The Australian Energy Market Operator seeks capacity—generation, storage and demand-side participation—each year for the capacity year, which is 1 October to 30 September, two years subsequent, based on the capacity needed to meet electricity demand in the South West Interconnected System. Market entry to provide generation and storage in this annual process is a matter for current and prospective energy market participants.
(3)–(4) Least-cost generation modelling has informed development of the upcoming SWIS transmission plan, and is underpinned by confidential information provided by project proponents.
