Government

Office of Energy

Supports the performance of the statutory functions of the Coordinator of Energy.

The Office of Energy provides a range of services on energy matters to the Minister for Energy, Government, the energy sector and the West Australian community. It:

plans, develops and implements energy policies and strategies for Western Australia;
develops and administers subsidies, rebates and grants for the Western Australian community and energy industry;
researches, analyses and advises on energy sector developments, trends and issues;
provides information and education materials for industry and consumers;
consults and communicates with industry, consumers and other stakeholders;
monitors the performance of Government-owned Electricity Corporations; and
contributes to the achievement of government's wider policy outcomes.

The Coordinator of Energy assists the Minister for Energy in planning and coordinating energy supply in Western Australia.The Coordinator of Energy advises the Minister on all aspects of energy policy including:

the energy needs of the State;
energy sources and methods of use, including renewable energy;
ways of achieving greater efficiency in the use of energy;
the introduction and encouragement of competition;
promotion and achievement of open access to transmission and distribution systems, which is an important element in facilitating competition;
Government ownership interests in the Electricity Corporations; and
energy policy as a means of helping to achieve other policy objectives of Government.

The Coordinator of Energy also sponsors and coordinates energy research development and demonstration, promotes the development of commercial applications of renewable energy and provides support in the resolution of energy related disputes.

Former Western Power Corporation

On 31 March 2006, Western Power Corporation was restructured into four new government owned Electricity Corporations:

Synergy - responsible for the sale of electricity within the South West Interconnected System (SWIS) - the area bound by Kalbarri, Kalgoorlie and Albany;
Verve Energy - responsible for power generation within the SWIS;
Western Power - responsible for operating, maintaining and expanding the electrical transmission and distribution network in the SWIS; and
Horizon Power - the regional business responsible for the generation, transport and sale of electricity in areas outside of the SWIS.

Act Administered:

Electricity Corporation Act 1994

Independent Market Operator

Administration of the Western Australian Wholesale Electricity Market

The Independent Market Operator is an independent statutory corporation responsible for the administration and operation of the Wholesale Electricity Market, including:

maintaining and developing Market Rules and related operating procedures;
ensuring adequate capacity on the South West Interconnected System; and
operating a daily Short Term Energy Market.

The Independent Market Operator was established under the Electricity Industry (Independent Market Operator) Regulations 2004 and its functions are set out in the Wholesale Electricity Market Rules developed under the Electricity Industry (Wholesale Electricity Market) Regulations 2004.

Economic Regulation Authority (Energy-related Functions)

Setting of conditions and charges by gas pipeline service providers to take gas from suppliers to customers.

The Economic Regulation Authority performs its functions under the provisions of the Economic Regulation Authority Act 2003 in relation to the setting of conditions and charges by gas pipelines service providers to take gas from suppliers to customers.

Act Administered:

Economic Regulation Authority Act 2003

Energy Ombudsman

Providing residential and small business customers with an alternative and impartial avenue for handling disputes with electricity or gas companies.

The role of the Energy Ombudsman is to investigate and facilitate customer complaints, upholding the principles of independence, natural justice, access, equity, effectiveness, and community awareness.

Residential and small business customers with an annual electricity or gas bill of less than 160 megawatts (equivalent to an annual electricity bill of less than $28,000) or 1 terajoule of gas (equivalent to annual gas bill of less than $12,000), may bring a complaint or a dispute before the Energy Ombudsman. Read more about the Energy Ombudsman.

Department of Consumer and Employment Protection - Energy Safety Division

Regulation of technical and safety aspects of the WA energy industry (except those functions performed by the Department of Industry and Resources).

The Director of Energy Safety primarily oversees the safety needs of the State in relation to electricity and gas. The Directors functions are defined under the Energy Coordination Act 1994, the Electricity Act 1945, the Gas Standards Act 1972. These Acts provide for the technical and safety regulation of:

Electricity production;
Electricity transmission and distribution;
Electricity utilisation (electrical contractor and worker licensing, consumers installations and appliances);
Gas distribution (and gas production directly connected to distribution systems); and
Gas utilisation (gas fitter licensing, consumers installations and appliances).

Department of Industry and Resources

Regulation of the technical and safety aspects of production of natural gas and LPG, NG transmission in high-pressure pipelines and the bulk storage of LPG.

Production of natural gas, its transmission in high-pressure pipelines and the manufacture and bulk storage of LPG are licensed through the Minister for Mines and administered by the Department of Industry and Resources.

Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism (Commonwealth)

Development and implementation of a range of industry policies and programs and delivers business services that build on the three key drivers of economic growth - innovation, investment and internal competitiveness.

These policies and programs are designed to increase the international competitiveness of Australian manufacturing, resources and service industries, develop Australia's innovation and technology capabilities and infrastructure, and facilitate an increased level of foreign investment in Australia.

Energy related information can be accessed from the 'All Program and Services' section of the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism web site.

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