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Parliamentary Questions


Question Without Notice No. 566 asked in the Legislative Council on 14 August 2018 by Hon Tim Clifford

Parliament: 40 Session: 1


SYNERGY — SOLARRETURN
      566. Hon TIM CLIFFORD to the minister representing the Minister for Energy:
I have been approached by a number of constituents who have raised concerns about Synergy's SolarReturn business, which sells solar photovoltaic and battery systems.
      (1) Has Synergy done modelling to show that it will not have a negative impact on new and existing installers?
      (2) If yes to (1), will the minister please table it?
      (3) Have any concerns been raised with the government from other solar PV and battery installers and/or representative organisations?
      (4) If yes to (3), is the minister concerned about potential loss of jobs?
Hon STEPHEN DAWSON replied:
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question.
      (1) SolarReturn was launched in April 2016 by the former Minister for Energy, Hon Mike Nahan, MLA, and the Liberal–National government. No modelling of the impact on new and existing installers was undertaken prior to that launch.
      (2) Not applicable.
      (3) Yes, concerns have been raised.
      (4) No.
      Synergy, as Western Australia's largest generator and retailer, has an important role to play in ensuring a cleaner, renewable future for Western Australians. To achieve this future, Synergy is working with the private sector at both a large scale and small scale distributed level. Synergy has been operating in the residential solar market for the last two years. The residential solar market continues to be dominated by small business owners, and Synergy has acquired approximately only 1.6 per cent market share in the residential solar market. Synergy ensures that it works with the private sector in delivering its solar products, engaging Western Australian small businesses to supply and install solar systems on its behalf. Synergy considers that its involvement in promoting solar products, underpinned by its trusted brand, has lifted the profile of the benefits of solar overall and has likely resulted in increased sales and increased jobs across the sector.