Electricity Reform
The Government of Western Australia has implemented comprehensive reforms of the State's electricity sector. A fundamental element of the reform package was to promote competition and encourage private investment in new generation facilities with an ultimate purpose to improve reliability of electricity supply. Read more about Electricity Reform.
Wholesale Electricity Market
A core element of the government's agenda was the establishment of a Wholesale Electricity Market for the South West Interconnected System (SWIS). This took effect on 21 September 2006. The market provides a mechanism for industry participants to trade in electricity. Read more >>
Electricity Retail Market Review
The Minister for Energy has commenced the Electricity Retail Market Review which entails a detailed study of retail tariff arrangements, the introduction of full retail contestability (FRC) in electricity, and the roll out of smart meters. The Office of Energy (OOE) has responsibility for completing this review and preparing recommendations for the Minister’s consideration.
Read more about the Electricity Retail Market Review >>
Review of the Electricity Access Regime
The Office of Energy administers the Electricity Industry Act 2004 under which the Electricity Networks Access Code 2004 (the Access Code) operates. The Access Code establishes a framework for third party access to electricity transmission and distribution networks with the objective of promoting the economically efficient investment in, and operation and use of, networks and services of networks in
The Office of Energy invites interested parties to submit comments on the proposed Code Amendments. Any comments received will be considered by the Office of Energy in recommending Code Amendments to the Minister for Energy. Read more about the Electricity Access Regime >>
For Gas
Review of the Gas Access Regime
In June 2003, the Ministerial Council on Energy (MCE) presented the Productivity Commission with terms of reference to conduct a review of the National Gas Access Regime. The Commission's Report on the Review of the National Gas Access Regime was provided to the MCE in June 2004 and publicly released in August 2004.
An MCE working group, consisting of officials from all jurisdictions, has been involved in preparing a joint government response to the Review. The MCE Standing Committee of Officials issued a consultation paper in August 2005 to inform a final response. The final MCE response will take on board comments from consultation paper and provide more details on how the reforms will be implemented.
The Office of Energy, through the Markets and Regulatory Policy Division, and in liaison with other relevant agencies, actively represents Western Australia interests in the development of the MCE Response to the Commission's Review of the National Gas Access Regime. Read more about the Gas Access Regime >>
For Consumers
Underground Power Program
The Underground Power Program aims to ensure that half of Perth houses are supplied by underground power by 2010, with corresponding improvement in regional towns and cities. The program has two components: Major Residential Projects; and Localised Enhancement Projects. Read more about the Underground Power Program >>
Rural Power Improvement Program
The Rural Power Improvement Program has been established to improve reliability of power in country areas of the South West Interconnected System. The State and Western Power equally fund this $60 million five year targeted investment program.
The Rural Power Improvement Program aims to specifically target the power distribution lines that have the worst reliability performance. These are identified by measuring and assessing the number, duration and causes of outages over recent years. Priority for funding and timing of work is assigned on the basis of these measurements. Read more about the Program >>
Aboriginal and Remote Communities Power Supply Project
The Aboriginal and Remote Communities Power Supply Project (ARCPSP) is currently being implemented by the State and Commonwealth Governments to improve the supply and delivery of electricity in large, permanent, remote Indigenous communities. In May 2005, the State and Commonwealth Governments signed an agreement to jointly fund necessary power infrastructure upgrades and subsidise the power supply to five remote
Energy Subsidy and Rebate Reviews
The Government provides a range of energy rebates to those requiring special assistance in meeting their energy costs, including the Thermoregulatory Dysfunction Subsidy Scheme, State Government Energy Rebate and the Seniors' Air Conditioning Rebate. In addition, the Government is currently developing and implementing new rebates to meet the needs of those people with a recognised medical requirement for life support equipment and/or special assistance with body temperature control in their homes. Read more about Subsidies and Rebates >>
Sustainable Energy
Information on Sustainable Energy projects and initiatives can be found on the Sustainable Energy Development Office website.
