Question On Notice No. 2928 asked in the Legislative Council on 17 April 2020 by Hon Martin Aldridge
Question Directed to the: Minister for Environment representing the Minister for Energy
Parliament: 40 Session: 1
Question
I refer to Western Power registration of interest WS1335383172 published in The West Australian on 1 April 2020, and I ask:
(a) what is the brand, model and cost of the LED luminaires that will be retrofitted;
(b) in what circumstances will retrofitting occur;
(c) how does the cost of an LED luminaire compare with a conventional streetlight;
(d) will the Local Government or owner of the streetlight be charged for the retrofitting;
(e) how many streetlights are expected to be retrofitted under the ROI;
(f) will the Local Government or owner of the streetlight see a reduction in operating costs arising from the LED luminaire upgrade; and
(g) if yes to (f), will the Minister please detail the difference in operating costs between LED and conventional luminaires?
Answered on 11 June 2020
(a) The purpose of the Registration of Interest was to determine potential vendors for LED retrofitting services. Provision of the LED luminaire is excluded from the scope of LED retrofitting services.
(b) Retrofitting of luminaires is undertaken on a replacement on failure basis and is also customer-initiated. In relation to customer-initiated retrofitting, in the majority of cases Local Government Authorities will engage Western Power to undertake retrofitting works.
(c) LED lights are cheaper than conventional streetlights.
(d) Where Western Power is replacing a luminaire on failure the cost is recovered via regulated revenue from all customers. In the case of customer-initiated retrofitting the customer will be charged for the retrofitting. Western Power has an obligation to act in a commercially prudent manner and must seek to achieve the lowest sustainable cost of providing energy services. As such, where a customer seeks to upgrade the existing network for their own purposes, they are required to make a financial contribution to the necessary works.
(e) This figure is unknown at this time.
(f) Considering the lower energy requirements of LED streetlights, a reduction in operating costs is expected. Retailers determine the final tariff for streetlights.
(g) See (f)