Media Release | 23 June 2026
Hon Dr Steve Thomas MLC
Shadow Minister for Energy; Industrial Relations
The latest report from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) that predicts significant energy shortfalls in coming years should be a wakeup call for the Cook Labor Government.
Shadow Energy Minister Dr Steve Thomas said the Opposition had been saying for years the Government’s current transition plan would simply run out and there was a real chance we could see the lights go out.
“We need a new transition plan as a matter of urgency, and that plan must include additional gas generation to maintain our grid,” he said.
“Today AEMO released its 2026 Electricity Statement of Opportunities for the Western Energy Market, which has identified significant power shortfalls in coming years without immediate action to boost generation.
“The AEMO report suggests that we will have enough power over the next three years, but this relies on the coal fired Bluewaters Power Station lasting into the 2030s and some aging gas generators staying online.
“From 2029-30 onwards, AEMO is predicting generation shortfalls starting at 166 megawatts and growing to over 2,000 megawatts by 2035.
“Even with the currently potential new facilities coming online there is a shortfall predicted of 1,565 megawatts in a decade.”
Mr Thomas said that level of shortfall was an impending crisis that could see brownouts and blackouts across the Southwest Interconnected System.
“A new and improved energy plan is needed, and the Government cannot wait years to deliver it,” he said.
That new plan needs to include: an extension of coal generation until it is no longer needed, more peak gas generation – at least 300MW and up to 800MW, and more signed offtake agreements with private renewable energy proponents so they can actually build some more projects.
“All of which was in the plan the Opposition released more than two years ago,” he said
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