Cook Government ‘confident’ of avoiding power | Australian Markets
The Cook Government stays “confident” worst-case predictions of a power scarcity throughout the State this summer season might be prevented however questions stay over how useful resource wealthy WA landed in such a place.
The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), in its 10-year forecast outlook printed in June, predicted a “relatively small” shortfall of about 50 megawatts may happen because the climate warms up heading into 2026.
In its evaluation AEMO warned any scarcity would happen during the night peak hours of 8pm and 10.30pm.
“AEMO will further assess the extent of any capacity shortfall, taking into account any major outages, fuel disruptions, or delays to connection of new committed capacity,” the report mentioned.
“In particular, AEMO is monitoring the progress of committed projects in time for the 2025-26 Hot Season, specifically Synergy’s Collie BESS, Neoen’s Collie battery storage Stage 2 and Alinta’s Wagerup battery storage.”
The second stage of Neoen’s Collie battery has since been accomplished and got here online in July.
Construction is constant for storage tasks by Synergy and Alinta Energy.
In the meantime, Energy and Decarbonisation Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson expects there can be enough power provide to fulfill demand over the approaching months.
“AEMO’s indicative estimate of 50MW of additional capacity required for this summer is the ultimate safeguard,” Ms Sanderson mentioned.
“We are confident, given that industry has demonstrated an ability to meet this capacity in the past through normal market mechanisms, that it can be secured for this summer.”
An further 1.5 gigawatts of power storage capability can be related to the grid by the tip of the yr, which Ms Sanderson mentioned would “build resilience” into the system.
“The Cook Government has always put system security and affordability at the forefront as we transition out of state-owned coal assets. The economics of coal no longer stack up; the longer we take to exit coal the more it will cost,” she mentioned.
Relying on possible tasks that may very well be online sooner or later will not be a plan.
“AEMO’s Electricity Statement of Opportunities shows that our plan is working. It is also a key signal the industry needs to invest in WA’s main energy grid, and the state is working to facilitate this investment.”
Shadow vitality minister Steve Thomas mentioned the Cook Government’s transition away from fossil fuels was “disturbing” and the warnings by AEMO demonstrated that it had taken too long to invest in new technology and storage.
“It is extraordinary in a state as wealthy as WA, with the massive energy resources we have, we could see energy shortages due to the Cook Labor Government’s lack of planning.” Dr Thomas mentioned.
“In February 2024 coal and gas generation accounted for 92 per cent of the peak electricity demand, and in January 2025 that number was 87 per cent.
“Since then, the Government has closed another 15 per cent of the state’s coal generation fleet.”
Existing coal and fuel technology would possible stop any shortages this coming summer season, however Dr Thomas didn’t imagine the state would be capable to proceed down the identical path sooner or later.
“The lack of a proper transition plan is disturbing enough, but to see the Minister Sanderson relying on “probable generation and storage projects that could be online by 2027- 28” to avoid wasting us is ridiculous,” he mentioned.
“Relying on probable projects that could be online in the future is not a plan. We need a transition plan that keeps the lights on and air conditioners running, and can be delivered at a cost that households and businesses can afford.”
AEMO is forecasting additional challenges with assembly demand within the years forward because the Collie Power Station closes in 2027, adopted by Muja D in 2029.
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