ELECTRICITY SUPPLY — REGIONS
526. Dr D.J. HONEY to the Minister for Energy:
I have a supplementary question.
Minister, do you believe that a 32-amp supply allocation is sufficient to run a
100 per cent electricity household and meet the energy needs of a modern
family?
Mr W.J.
JOHNSTON replied:
As I explained a moment ago,
although there have been some changes, my advice is that there have been
changes to the safety arrangements that Western Power and Horizon apply to
aspects of the network management, and that the 32-amp capacity has not
changed. The 32-amp capacity is not related to the issue the member is raising.
What has occurred is that the people have been drawing more than 32 amps across
their connection. My advice is that is because they were not compliant, and not
because there has been a change. My advice is that what is occurring is that when people are getting a new installation,
the installer is being told that is limited to 32 amps. It has always been
limited to 32 amps. There may have been occasions that people have been drawing
more than 32 amps, but that was exceeding
their supply. Only a 32-amp supply is guaranteed. The fact that people were
drawing more than that is because they were drawing above the guaranteed
connection. This is a safety question. It is not a change to the performance of
equipment. That is the point I am making. There is no change to performance of
the Western Power connection points. They were exactly the same prior to this
rule change.
Visitors — Carine
Senior High School
The
SPEAKER: Before I give the member for Riverton the call, I acknowledge
and welcome to the public gallery today the year 12 prefects of Carine Senior
High School on behalf of the member for Carine, and their principal, Mr Damian
Shuttleworth, formerly principal of Swan View Senior High School, and the other
students here. You are very welcome to question time today.