Cook Government now outsourcing energy planning in Western Australia

Shadow Minister for Energy Dr Steve Thomas says the State Government’s lack of a viable plan to transition the energy system in Western Australia has been highlighted by statements made by the Minister for Energy Amber-Jade Sanderson on radio yesterday, when she handed over the planning for WA’s future energy needs to the private sector and the independent market operator.

“It should now be apparent to everyone that the Government has little idea where it is going or how to get there in relation to the energy future of our state” Dr Thomas said.

“While we’re glad to see them finally join the Opposition’s position of needing additional gas generation to underpin supply and grid stability, we’re concerned that at the same time this government has thrown up their hands in despair and want to hand over the management and planning of energy to others.

Minister Sanderson told Perth radio today that “…my view and the Government’s view is that gas is a lower carbon enabler for our energy transition to renewables…”, which the Opposition welcomes.

“The reality is we still need to maintain security and reliability of the energy system, and gas remains the lower carbon enabler and technology that we have available today...”, the Minister also said.

However, when pushed for clarification and asked specifically if we are going to get a new gas power station, the Minister said “…it’s up to the independent market operator to determine the best possible mix”.

When asked again if it’s going to be up to the private sector if we are going to get a new gas fired power station, the Minister said “…well, that’s right”.

Dr Thomas said the only certainty the Government and the Minister seem able to provide is that they are not in charge of the planning or delivery of our energy future.

“Minister Sanderson is now on the record as putting the responsibility for our energy supply future onto the Australian Energy Market Operator, presumably because the State Government has lost all faith in the ability of the Office of Energy and Energy Policy WA to do their jobs,” Dr Thomas said.

“AEMO is the market operator that manages the distribution of power, but it is not responsible for planning our energy future. That falls to Energy Policy WA.

“And to rely entirely on the private sector to save the Government’s bacon by supplying our new generation needs has become their standard operating procedure of privatisation by stealth.

“Right now, it appears that the Government only wants to focus on setting the price, which with this lack of commitment the process will only be going rapidly up.”