Transmission planning is vital to delivering Western Australia's energy transition and the release of the State Government's new plan today is a welcome development, according to the peak body for electricity generators and retailers.
Congratulating the State Government on the unveiling of its plan, the Australian Energy Council's Chief Executive, Louisa Kinnear, said its members looked forward to working with the government to deliver the transition.
"We know significant investment is required in new transmission, generation and storage infrastructure to ensure the affordability and ongoing reliability and security of WA's energy system as it shifts away from coal.
"In particular, quantitative analysis by advisory firm Baringa Partners, commissioned by the Australian Energy Council, highlights the potential market impacts of delaying transmission network upgrades in the SWIS. Their modelling shows that even a one-year delay could drive up consumer prices significantly and increase carbon emissions from the energy sector.
"That makes the timely and cost-effective delivery of new transmission lines crucial to keeping energy bills affordable into the future, by ensuring replacement generation for coal can connect to the grid," Ms Kinnear said.
"Timely delivery of new transmission lines will give energy investors the certainty they need to develop projects and bring them online. This plan will help make that happen."
About the Australian Energy Council
The Australian Energy Council is the peak industry body for electricity and downstream natural gas businesses operating in the competitive wholesale and retail energy markets. AEC members generate and sell energy to 10 million homes and businesses and are major investors in renewable energy generation. The AEC supports reaching net-zero by 2050 as well as a 55 per cent emissions reduction target by 2035 and is committed to delivering the energy transition for the benefit of consumers.
