Media Release | 24th June 2025
Hon. Dr Steve Thomas MLC
Shadow Minister for Energy; Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations
Shadow Minister for Energy Dr Steve Thomas says today’s release by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) of the Western Energy Market Electricity Statement of Opportunities (WEM ESOO) for the Western Australian energy system is a wakeup call for the Cook Government and reinforces the position the Opposition has taken on the state’s energy supply.
“The latest review of our state’s electricity supply should be ringing alarm bells for the Government with impending shortfalls of generation and distribution noted in the report,” Dr Thomas said.
“This simply reinforces the message the Opposition has been giving for over two years – the existing Cook Government transition plan will not work without significant additional investment.
“We need a transition that keeps the lights on and can be delivered at a cost that energy users including households and businesses can afford, but the Government looks to be failing that test.
“The Government’s transition plan will not keep the lights on and air conditioners running as we ultimately shift to a low emissions future, and under the current plan the Government is likely to significantly drive up the cost of power for consumers.
The AEMO statement of market opportunities forecasts:
“with peak demand continuing to grow and extend into the night , additional supply that is
available late into the evening will be required.
Additional longer duration (six-hour plus) battery storage will help, but alone will be unable to
meet forecast growth in these sustained peaks without complementing them with additional
energy producing capacity (from solar farms, wind farms or gas generators) to sufficiently top
them up.”
Of particular concern is the impending energy shortfall AEMO has identified in 2027:
“In 2027-28, following the closure of more coal-fired generation, more capacity will need to be
procured under the RCM to avert energy shortfalls that are otherwise forecast to become more
prevalent. While there is substantial continued interest in battery storage to help maintain
reliable supply, investment in storage alone will not suffice. At least 110 MW of new generation
sources such as gas, wind and solar generation will be required”
“Even the market operator now acknowledges that more energy will be required at a time the Government is closing down 320MW from state run coal generators and is doing its best to close another 434MW from the privately owned coal generator in Collie” Dr Thomas said.
“As the Opposition has said repeatedly, under the current plan, 2027 is our crisis year.”
“While the report suggests a range of developments in generation and transmission may eventually arrive, time is running out and grid stability is at risk. The predicted requirement of an additional 2,000 MW of generation capacity by 2033 the report identifies requires action now to be able to deliver it.”
“There is far too much hope and expectation on behalf of the Government and far too little
practical delivery. We are running out of time.”
ENDS
