Labor Finally Wakes Up To WA’s Gas Power Needs

Shadow Energy Minister Dr Steve Thomas says confirmation the Cook Labor Government is investigating a new 300-megawatt gas power station is a welcome first step, but will not be enough to keep Western Australia’s lights on beyond 2030.

“The Cook Government has now adopted a key part of the Liberal Party’s 2024 energy policy by investigating an additional 300 megawatts of gas generation,” Dr Thomas said.

“This follows confirmation in March that Labor has also accepted our position that some State-owned coal generators may need to operate beyond their current closure dates.

“The Government is finally acknowledging what we have been saying for years: renewable energy must be backed by reliable gas generation and storage if Western Australia is to maintain a secure electricity system.”

Dr Thomas said the proposed 300-megawatt plant, together with AGL’s new 220 megawatt gas power station at Kwinana, would still fall short of the capacity WA would need.

“The Premier and Energy Minister were happy to put on hard hats and break ground at AGL’s Kwinana project, which now enjoys bipartisan support,” he said.

“But even with both projects, 520 megawatts of additional gas generation will not be enough to guarantee WA’s energy security.

“The Government should also investigate generating electricity near prospective gas fields around Dongara and transmitting that energy to Perth as electrons rather than transporting the gas itself.

“That would strengthen the electricity system while easing pressure on the capacity constrained Dampier to Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline during periods of peak demand.”

Dr Thomas said that without further gas generation, coal-fired power stations would inevitably be required beyond the Government’s September 2029 closure deadline.

“I have consistently said existing coal generators must be kept operating, where necessary and technically possible, until renewables backed by gas and storage can reliably meet the State’s needs,” he said.

“Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, but Western Australia now needs delivery, not more delay.”