BGEA was please to host Jai Thomas – Coordinator of Energy, Energy Policy WA and Carla Basden – Head of Major Customer Decarbonisation, Western Power at our annual SW Energy Roundtable event on Thursday.
Jai and Carla presented a range of information on the current status of our energy grid, particularly the increasing penetration of renewable energy, with rooftop solar and now home batteries playing a big part in this growth. Jai also outlined the large renewable projects currently under construction or being planned and Carla detailed how these will be connected to the SWIS by the State’s recently released transmission plan. Both Carla and Jai discussed the range of reforms that are underway to streamline approvals, grid access and infrastructure construction timelines.
Following the formal presentations there was some great discussion and questions from attendees. Key themes included:
- The increasing cost of power and impacts to our large energy intensive industries
- Contingencies in energy generation in the event renewable projects are delayed leading into the closure of Collie power stations.
- Community benefits from renewable projects, including Aboriginal participation.
- The future of offshore wind and the State Government’s role in these Projects.
- Importance of maintaining grid stability, not just generation capacity.
- Support from Western Power and EPWA in industries investigation of decarbonisation options.
- State Government capital investment on renewable projects versus the benefit of private investment.
Thanks to Jai and Carla for their support of the event, and to all the attendees for engaging in such valuable discussion.