WESTERN POWER — SOLAR
INSTALLATIONS — REGIONS
750. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Energy:
I refer to Western Power's supply allocation of 32
amps for single-phase rural residential properties in WA versus 63 amps for cities
and towns in WA.
(1) Prior to
and up to February 2022, what direct communication did Western Power undertake
with regional solar and renewable energy suppliers regarding the application of
compulsory circuit-breakers on rural properties for any switchboard upgrade, or
new installation of household solar panels?
(2) Noting
that the minister has stated that rural properties can apply for upgraded
supply allocations, what costs are applicable to these applications?
(3) Does that minister concede that rural customers
are now being asked to pay Western Power a supply upgrade charge in
order to receive the same supply allocation that is available to city customers
at no cost?
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) Communications
regarding the changes in rules included direct emails to approximately 5 000
electrical contractors, industry workshops
for electrical contractors, and articles in industry publications. Prior to
this, electrical contractors had been
required to apply to Western Power or Horizon Power when a customer sought to increase their load above the existing supply
allocation. This requirement has been regularly reiterated in communications.
In addition, industry bodies and publications provide significant coverage of
changes to the Australian Standards that impact the industry such as the 2018
AS/NZS 3000 wiring rules changes, which included the introduction of requirements
for circuit-breakers on new or altered sub-main circuits.
(2) Customers can
engage an electrical contractor to assess their existing load and usage. In
most household cases, electrical contractors can rebalance load across phases
correctly, to ensure the service draws at or under the supply allocation. If
necessary, electrical contractors can apply to increase the supply allocation.
The cost of this is individualised and is dependent on factors such as the
existing arrangement and the supply needs of
the customer. As the supply allocation has not changed, this would be necessary
only when a customer was adding new load or had previously added load
exceeding their supply allocation without applying to the network operator per
the requirements.
(3) No. City customers in the south west
interconnected system have paid for the supply allocation they receive.