Backup system for Kalgoorlie late but will be welcome in 2026
20th March 2024
The Shadow Minister for Energy Dr Steve Thomas says a media release from Energy Minister Reece Whitby today saying that his Government will commence a process to secure more back up energy for Kalgoorlie should have started two years ago when storm damage caused major power loss and highlighted the inadequacy of the system.
“In 2022 power outages had significant impacts on Kalgoorlie residents and hit local businesses directly in the hip pocket” Dr Thomas said.
“At the time the then energy Mr Johnston told the media “we would love to see more investment into generators in the Goldfields”.
“Two years later in early 2024 the lessons that should have been learnt were completely lost on the Labor Government when another storm caused power line damage and the lights went out again.
“Today Minister Whitby has announced the start of a process that should have started two years ago and will not be completed for another two years.
“As his own media release says, that procurement of more energy under the Non Co-optimised Essential System Services (NCESS) will only be online to provide additional generation by 2026.
“Kalgoorlie faces another two years of blackouts until the new system might be in place, assuming there are no further delays.
“Kalgoorlie is a major regional city, and it has backup generators in case of system wide failure, but once again that backup is also failing the community and it appears will continue to do so.
“Only last week I asked the Government when this backup would be in place and got yet another non answer as attached.
“Perhaps the Government was too embarrassed to tell Parliament the truth.
“Minister Whitby might be “proud to be a part of a Government that is tackling this issue head on” but not delivering for another two years is hardly a rapid response to such an important issue.”Ends.
Media contact: Dr Steve Thomas 0427 908 717