The same problem is at the heart of both extremes:a lack of investment in renewable energy and energy storage.
The technology is here already – but the investment isn’t.Graphic:Kathleen Adele
As a result,the use of is predicted to more than double by 2032 because according to the Australian Energy Market Operator,in WA “there are insufficient renewables planned to replace Synergy’s scheduled coal retirements.”
Doubling gas use is obviously inconsistent with WA’s transition to net zero. But it is increasingly likely because WA doesn’t have a clear plan for renewable energy.
Electricity generation is the easiest sector to decarbonise. It then forms the basis for the decarbonisation of other sectors through electrification.
But this will be impossible if gas,rather than renewables,replaces coal for power generation. The emissions from burning gas will largely negate the reduction in emissions brought about by the closure of state-owned coal-fired power stations.
Currently,the only renewables recording significant growth on the grid are distributed solar PV systems – aka domestic rooftop solar.
These systems have been growing at a rate of almost a megawatt a day and the Australian Energy Market Operator forecasts this to grow over the next decade “to reach an estimated 4716 megawatts of installed capacity” – more than three times the combined size of all of WA’s coal-fired power stations.
A stable grid cannot exist on the back of domestic investment in rooftop solar alone. It needs to be augmented by a significant investment in wind power. Extraordinarily,there are currently no new wind projects under construction in WA or coming soon.
A recent review by the shows the WA pipeline of new renewables projects is barely running at a trickle. Only 3 per cent of “committed” projects nationally will be connected to the WA grid,and less than 1 per cent of the “probable” projects,and none of these are wind.
WA is lagging behind all the other mainland states,as thisby the Clean Energy Council shows.
Share of total renewables capacity by state.Clean Energy Council Renewables Projects Quarterly Report Q4 2022.
The transition from coal to renewables also requires energy storage but there are also no new large-scale energy storage projects in the pipeline. WA has one big battery in Kwinana and we need plenty more. Modelling by Sustainable Energy Now indicates that WA needs 12 gigawatt hours - the equivalent of 60 more Kwinana batteries. but again,WA is lagging.
There is a genuine concern that without major and immediate investment in wind and energy storage,coal will kept longer or largely be replaced by gas. And unfortunately, and. If this is to happen,I repeat,the necessary transition to a net zero economy would be severely hampered.
The lack of environmental leadership in this state is placing WA at a real risk of power outages and environmental degradation. WA has a. Let’s not forget that the previous Coalition Government gave thes a $300M upgrade and then never even turned them back on.
Utility-scale solar PV and onshore wind are the,but we need a serious plan – and one that also considers a just transition for workers - to speed up investment if we are to see both carbon emissions and energy prices come down.
The WA Government’s predictable wait-awhile attitude on renewable energy will not work. We need bold leadership,a clear plan,and a combination of public and private investment to reap the opportunities presented by a clean energy transition.
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