WA committed to renewable energy, Whitby says

Energy Minister Reece Whitby has reiterated the state government's commitment to renewable energy, following comments made by state opposition leader Libby Mettam regarding uranium mining earlier on Thursday. 

Ms Mettam said her party would end the state's ban on uranium mining if it won the 2025 state election. The ban was implemented in 2017, having previously been lifted by former Liberal premier Colin Barnett between 2008 and 2017. 

Speaking at Business News' Future of Energy lunch on Thursday in Perth, Mr Whitby was sceptical of Ms Mettam's announcement and said the choice was clear.

"Listen to the science and facts," he said.

"The fact is on every measure nuclear makes no sense as a solution for us. Australia and Western Australia is the last place it makes any sense at all. These are the facts.

"Nuclear is the most expensive option, by a mile. Renewables are already the cheapest new form of power and they are getting cheaper all of the time. The most ambitious time for nuclear is at least fifteen years, around 2040, which is far too late."

Mr Whitby said all sectors needed to work together to maximise the full potential of WA's renewable energy assets. 

"The task ahead is so big," he said. 

"No-one can do this alone. No government, no company, no community. This is a shared challenge. Today I ask all of you, from all sectors, to walk together towards the new dawn of a new renewable energy age." 

Mr Whitby also provided an update regarding the state government's transition from coal.

"In WA, it's going to be a very hard end to coal," Mr Whitby said.

"In the west, we are truly going - and please forgive me for this - coal turkey. This also helps us achieve our target of cutting state government emissions by 80 per cent in the year 2030. 

"For industry, it allows large industrial energy users such as alumina and critical mineral users to decarbonise as well."

Mr Whitby said he would be in the South West town of Collie on Friday, turning the sod on a 2,000-megawatt big battery, which is due for completion in 2025.

"Solar and wind is no good if the sun doesn't shine or the wind doesn't blow," he said.

"So batteries will play a major role. Batteries are perfect for storing excess low-cost energy during the day which can be discharged to meet fluctuating or peak demand periods."