State restructures Office of Energy

The state government will integrate the Sustainable Energy Development Office into thte Office of Energy as part of plans to meet the national 20 per cent renewable energy target by 2020.

Energy Minister Peter Collier says the integration will ensure a more co-ordinated focus on the Liberal-National Government's priority of providing secure, reliable, competitive and clean energy.

He said this would also help the state government meet its commitment to the national 20 per cent renewable energy target by 2020, which was a key objective of the Strategic Energy Initiative, currently being developed.

"To meet this commitment, it is important to take a more co-ordinated approach to renewable energy and energy efficiency," Mr Collier said.

"The new structure of the Office of Energy will embed renewable and energy efficiency research, development and planning into all aspects of the broader mainstream energy sector in WA.

"The Government recognises the importance of increasing the use of renewable energy and improving energy efficiency across all sectors of the community."

Mr Collier said SEDO had achieved a great deal in raising awareness of energy efficiency and encouraging greater use of renewable energy.

"However, it is time to move into the next phase of energy development," he said.

"We have moved beyond the need for a separate focus on sustainable energy to a more holistic understanding of how the diverse parts of the energy sector need to complement each other to responsibly deliver what the community and economy need."

The Minister said realigning the OOE aimed to integrate strategic energy policy and planning, build additional capacity in the area of competitive and efficient energy markets and regulation, and streamline the delivery of clean energy and community incentive programs.

"No jobs will be lost as a direct result of this change and staff will have opportunities to develop their skills in new areas," Mr Collier said.

The changes within the Office of Energy are expected to be in place by January 1, 2010, with full implementation completed by June 30, 2010.