WESTERN POWER — SOLAR INSTALLATIONS —
REGIONS
659. Hon JAMES HAYWARD to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Energy:
I refer to the installation of solar
systems at rural and remote residential properties.
(1) Can the
minister confirm that changes to the Western Power's technical rules in
February 2022 have resulted in some customers having to install
current-limiting circuit-breakers resulting in a reduction in the amount of
energy that they are able to draw from the grid at any single point in time?
(2) Is the minister confident that a
32-amp supply is sufficient for modern households?
(3) Are all households in Western Australia
limited to a 32-amp supply?
(4) Will the minister table information such as a zonal
map outlining what areas are limited to 32-amp circuit-breakers for new
installations and which areas are permitted to have 63-amp circuit-breakers?
Hon
MATTHEW SWINBOURN replied:
I thank the member for some notice
of the question. The following information has been provided to me by the
Minister for Energy.
(1) Western Power's
technical rules have not changed. However, in August 2021 the Western Australian
service and installation requirements replaced the Western Australian
distribution connections manual. This applies to both Western Power and
Horizon Power networks. The supply capacity has not changed and electrical contractors have always had an
obligation to consider the impact of any works on this capacity.
However, mains switch circuit-breakers must be installed for new connections
and major electrical works. This is in line with Australian standards.
(2) The 32-amp
allocation is substantially more than the actual maximum demand used for most
homes, particularly as appliances are used at different times. Consumers
wanting to increase their load can apply to do so.
(3) No.
(4) I table the
attached document.
[See paper 1491.]