The WA Government’s recently-released Plan for Affordable Energy has set out a range of measures aimed at keeping power prices in check for households, businesses and industry as the State moves towards net zero.
Premier Roger Cook with CCIWA Member and Meridian Engineers Managing Director Anthony Pruiti.
CCIWA Chief Economist Dr Daniel Kiely said the plan recognised the need to keep energy costs low for businesses while balancing decarbonisation with reliability.
“Having affordable and reliable energy supplies throughout the transition to net zero will be a key strategic advantage for WA over other states and our neighbours in the Asia Pacific region,” he said.
“This will allow WA to diversify its economy more quickly and will provide a buffer from global energy shocks and uncertainty.”
According to Government modelling, if no action is taken, industrial electricity prices could rise 89% by 2032.
What’s in the plan?
The plan centres on more renewable energy, backed by battery storage and WA gas. Key measures include:
- A target of 75% renewable generation on the South West Interconnected System (SWIS), the main grid serving Perth and the South West, by FY2030-31
- Investment in transmission infrastructure, including $2.5 billion for the Clean Energy Link projects
- An Energy Affordability Fund for manufacturers, with low-interest loans of up to $15 million for solar, batteries and efficient equipment through the $150m Made in WA Energy Affordability Investment Program
- Continued support for household solar, batteries and electric vehicles
- Backing for WA’s domestic gas reservation policy and a gas security strategy
Kiely said there was widespread support in the business community for reducing emissions, as long as supplies remained stable and costs were competitive.
Gas still part of the mix
The plan also aligns with our advocacy work, including the recent Powering WA’s Future report, which laid out several pathways to net zero without any loss of industry in WA. It also reflects findings from our Role of Gas report, which called for a clear acknowledgement of WA’s reliance on gas.
“Gas provides stability to the grid with around half the emissions of coal for power generation, delivering reliable and affordable energy supplies to households, businesses and heavy industry,” he said.
Skills and approvals
We also welcome the plan’s focus on building more of WA’s energy infrastructure locally, and the acknowledgement that more workers will be needed to deliver the transition.
“The clean energy transition provides a perfect opportunity to diversify WA’s economy, but we will need the right mix of skilled workers to get us there,” Kiely said.
“Apprenticeships will be a key factor in this effort, as well as ensuring the skilled migration system remains fit for purpose.”
Kiely said governments should also tackle planning and approval constraints.
“Inefficient approvals at both the State and Federal level will slow down the development of critical infrastructure needed to deliver clean, affordable and reliable energy,” he said.
Building the workforce WA’s energy build needs
Apprenticeships will be central to delivering the energy transition. If your business is considering taking on an apprentice, Apprenticeship Support Australia WA can help you with the process and find potential candidates.
For more information, call 1300 363 831.
