A regulatory framework for back-up plans and a wider variety of gas market arrangements are some of the recommendations to help the state avert future gas shortages, in a report to be tabled in parliament today.
A regulatory framework for back-up plans and a wider variety of gas market arrangements are some of the recommendations to help the state avert future gas shortages, in a report to be tabled in parliament today.
More to come....
The announcement is below:
Energy Minister Peter Collier will today table a report detailing strategies to help avert future gas shortages and provide secure energy supply for Western Australia.
The Gas Supply and Emergency Management Committee's Report to Government includes recommendations to improve the security, reliability and competitiveness of the domestic energy markets, and to improve the management and mitigate the impacts of gas emergency situations.
This follows the Minister's announcement in January of a review to be undertaken by the Gas Supply and Emergency Management Committee, after two gas supply disruptions in 2008.
"These events highlighted the need to develop strategies to avert future shortages and provide secure energy supplies to meet the needs of the community," Mr Collier said.
"The committee was tasked with providing advice on the State's gas security, gas supply disruption management and potential mitigation options for disruptions.
"It also considered the range of plausible gas supply shortage events and the best way to minimise any impacts on our community and business.
"The committee's recommendations support the Liberal-National Government's objectives to provide secure, reliable and competitive energy supply to meet the needs of the community and support WA's growing economy."
The committee's key recommendations include:
- implement strategic and operational plans endorsed by the committee to respond to gas supply disruptions
- implement regulatory frameworks to assist in the development of gas contingency services in the electricity and gas markets
- implement a range of gas market arrangements to improve the security, reliability and competitiveness of the domestic gas supply market in WA.
"The Government is committed to ensuring that the committee's recommendations are considered in a timely manner and will do so as a matter of priority," Mr Collier said.
"While it is not possible to ensure that disruptions to gas supply do not occur, the recommendations presented by the committee will help mitigate the potential impacts in the unlikely event of a further gas supply disruption.
"The Government has taken a strategic approach to ensure WA is better prepared for any future gas supply disruptions while also providing secure energy supply to meet the growing needs of the community.
"For example, we have introduced to Parliament the Gas Supply (Gas Quality Specifications) Bill 2009, allowing for the development of a greater range of gas fields to supply the domestic market, with legislation expected to be passed by the end of this year.
"As a responsible Government, we must deliver a reliable and secure energy supply while Australia moves towards providing a cleaner energy future."
