Further funds are to be allocated to Energy Policy WA in order to modernise the energy sector and better prepare it for a low-carbon future.
Minister for Energy, Bill Johnston said Energy Policy WA was responsible for implementing the Energy Transformation Strategy and the recommendations of the Energy Transformation Taskforce.
Mr Johnston said the additional funding would enable policy and market development, long-term power system modelling and coordination of the energy sector.
He said Energy Policy WA would benefit from a $14.2 million State Government and industry allocation.
“It will deliver the Australian-first Distributed Energy Resources Roadmap, which is driving the integration of rooftop solar, household and community batteries, and electric vehicles in our main electricity grid,” Mr Johnston said.
“Energy Policy WA will also deliver a second Whole of System Plan, following the release of the inaugural plan in October 2020, which was the first time a cohesive approach to electricity generation and distribution planning had been taken in the State.”
The Minister said that, in addition, the Western Australian Advocacy for Consumers of Energy Program would receive a further $954,000 to support energy consumers, including building capacity in the non-government sector.
“WA’s energy sector is experiencing a rapid transformation, with one in three households now having rooftop solar panels; this is expected to reach one in two by 2030,” he said.
“It is an exciting time for the energy industry, with the Government supporting the evolution of the sector towards a cleaner, greener energy future,” Mr Johnston said.
