Power in Western Australia

In Western Australia, grid connected customers are supplied by sole retailer, state-owned Western Power. Western Power ranked very low in our survey -- number 11 in the below average environmental policy and practice category.

Western Power is one of the few retailers that does not support ratification of the Kyoto protocol – as a government owned entity they left this decision to their state government.

The WA government's position regarding Kyoto has not been re-articulated since Premier Gallop said in September 2002 that he thought it would not be in WA's economic interest for Australia to ratify. However, it is common knowledge that the government has since received a report by the Allen Consulting Group showing that ratification would not have a negative impact on the WA economy.

Regarding this retailer’s position on new coal generation, none was being built for the supply period to July 2004. However, Western Power has a proposal to build a new coal fired power station – one of several made to the WA government to increase state supplies by 300MW at 2008.

On a more positive note, Western Power does have greenhouse gas reduction targets. Western Power has also started to engage on energy efficiency. They will spend promotional and advertising budget on educating customers about reducing energy consumption and using efficient appliances. Western Power guarantees that it will not spend advertising budget promoting high-energy use items (such as reverse-cycle or refrigerant air conditioning, or electric storage hot water).

Green Power Product:
Natural Power -- compliant with Green Power accreditation. This product is sourced 68% from biomass, 31.6% from wind, and 0.4% from solar.

Take Action!

If you are not satisfied with your retailer’s performance, you could contact the following:

Deputy Premier; Treasurer, Minister for Energy
Eric Ripper MLA
28th Floor
197 St George's Terrace
PERTH WA 6000
eric-ripper@dpc.wa.gov.au
Phone: (08) 9222 8788
Fax: (08) 9222 8799

Opposition Spokesperson on Energy
John Day MLA
PO Box 610
Kalamunda WA 6926
jday@mp.wa.gov.au
Ph: (08) 9293 4747
Fax: (08) 9257 1069

For information about the National Green Power Accreditation Program,
visit the Green Power website.