Late energy contracts expose Labor’s transition failures

The Cook Labor Government’s long-delayed move to sign renewable energy contracts has exposed how far behind its own energy transition plan it has fallen.

New contracts for wind generation, revealed in The Sunday Times, represent a belated step forward — but underline years of inaction that has left Western Australia playing catch-up.

Shadow Energy Minister Dr Steve Thomas said the Government’s refusal to sign power purchase agreements (PPAs) since announcing its transition plan in 2022 had stalled renewable investment and blown out timelines.

“For years the Cook Labor Government refused to back renewable projects with offtake agreements, effectively stalling its own transition plan,” Dr Thomas said.

“At the same time, the Government failed to build any significant renewable capacity of its own — leaving the state at least five years behind schedule.”

The newly announced contracts cover 930 megawatts of wind capacity, including 600 megawatts through Synergy and 330 megawatts via the Water Corporation.

“But headline figures don’t tell the full story,” Dr Thomas said.

“Using the Government’s own 37 per cent capacity factor, this equates to just 344 megawatts of actual average generation — a fraction of what is needed to ensure reliable supply.

“This is not a solution — it is a small first step after years of delay.”

Dr Thomas said the Government’s mismanagement had left it with no choice but to rely on coal and gas for longer.

“Labor’s failure to act early means it will now have to extend the life of coal-fired power stations and expand gas generation just to keep the lights on,” he said.

“Western Australians are paying the price for a Government that announced a plan but failed to deliver it.”